This contest period's winners were Deborah G., Jean F. and Sue S., who each received a copy of THE FIVE-STAR WEEKEND by Elin Hilderbrand and THE SPECTACULAR by Fiona Davis.
Sarah
The Guest by Emma Cline
Guaranteed to make you feel creepy, this is the story of a young sex worker who has been invited to summer in the Hamptons with one of her "clients". Things go awry, and she finds herself stranded, without means and alone the week prior to her former companion's big Labor Day party. Her decision to try to reconcile with him at the party means she will have to find a way to get by until then. What will Alex do?
Tessa
The Cat Who Played Brahams by Lilian Jackson Braun
Book Five in the delightful cozy mystery series starring James Qwilleran, and his Siamese Koko. Qwill decides to take a sabbatical from the paper, and vacation at a remote cabin on a lake “up north.” Mooseville is certainly NOT the big city, but something mysterious is going on; several of Qwill’s cherished possessions go missing and then a neighboring cabin owner is murdered. I really enjoy this series. I like Qwill and I like Koko, and NO, the cat doesn’t talk but his meanderings and occasional reaction to a visitor frequently point Qwill in the direction of a significant clue.
Rose
Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel
Bridget and Will have been friends since Juilliard, but that is it, they are strictly friends. They form two of the Forsyth Trio - the third being Gavin, their classmate. However, Gavin left them, and has become a star, while their trio is floundering. One night, Bridget wants to have a child, and has sex with a very handsome man. The next day, she goes to the doctor to be artificially inseminated. She has twins (Isabelle and Oscar), but doesn't know who the dad is. Now, years later, Bridget is at her home in CT, and her dad, wealthy Edward, is getting married. A series of mishaps and family crises follow. Comical, romantic, and a nice story of friendship.
Debbie
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
A subject painful to discuss.
Susan
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
Our book club readers were evenly divided on rating this book. We all thought character development was good. However, plot development was not as strong. This is the first Hoover book for all readers and most of us will read another book by her.
Jane
The Anniversary by Stephanie Bishop
Thank you to Grove Press for this ARC. Let me start by saying, I'm exhausted after reading this book. It was long and detailed since it was a pretty big book for my liking, but it went faster than I thought it would. This book starts out with J.B., who's a writer, and her husband Patrick on a cruise. Things happen and he goes overboard. She tries to get away from the press by going to her sister's house in Australia and then abruptly leaves since she's been asked to question her on Patrick's drowning. Was it her fault or not? I didn't see what happened coming, believe me. Maybe to others it would be obvious but not to me. This book is very verbose with a lot of sentences.
Laurie
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
CONVENIENCE STORE WOMAN was a fun, light, sometimes hilarious escape from my preferred genre fictional history books.
Susan
Exiles by Jane Harper
Family dynamics along with mystery with many twists and turns.
Kay
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
This book is rich in characterization. This coming-of-age book tells about the lives of four boys and others they meet. Each one has a goal in mind. Although none of them get to complete a journey on The Lincoln Highway, we get to personally know each one. The ending was a surprise and provided much discussion in our book club group.
Dawn
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
I really enjoyed this novel, the first I have read by her. She expertly wove the two storylines together so it was easy to follow both without confusing the characters and drew you into their personal stories.
Lynn
A Private Investigation by Peter Grainger
Number 7 in the DC Smith series. I love the character. Smith is a lead detective in a squad in a small English city. He’s witty and wise and a bit jaded. A young teenager has disappeared, recalling Smith’s capture 12 years earlier of a serial killer of young girls. Smith is three weeks from retirement and the bosses want him to stay out of the case. Well that isn’t going to happen. Fabulous dialogue.
Judie
The Covenent of Water by Abraham Verhese
I loved the author’s book CUTTING FOR STONE one and based on Oprah’s overwhelming enthusiasm for this book, was excited to read it. I must say it has been a drag to read it. So many characters whose story seems to dangle without revealing their inner persona. I was determined to finish the 750 page tome. I just could not emotionally engage in this book.
Amy
Coronation Year by Jennifer Robson
I absolutely loved THE GOWN so I greatly anticipated Coronation Year. I found it less captivating than THE GOWN. Nonetheless, it has been an interesting book to read so close to the recent coronation of King Charles.
Bath
The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson
THE COLD DISH Is the first book in Craig Johnson's Longmire mystery series. It seems to serve as an introduction to the characters who appear throughout the series. I say "it seems" because it is so full of description that I get the impression Johnson meant for this to be more introduction than story. What story there is centers on a dead young man. Most likely, Longmire feels, he was murdered. And it makes most sense that he was murdered because of the part he took in the rape of a young, mentally deficient girl. So, as sheriff, Longmire investigates. This book contains too much description of not only the characters but of every little thing.
Angie
Southernmost by Silas House
I love Silas' style of writing. The whole book has kind of a southern some laziness style to it. A kind of sleepiness. It's the story of a preacher who against his better judgment, turn two gay men away from sheltering with him during a flood in their hometown. When given a chance to do the right thing, he again turns away from them which eats at him until he gives a sermon one day at his church about accepting everyone and his conservative congregating vote to remove him. He takes off on the run with his son to make things right once and for all.
Teresa
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
Kudos for the lovely writing; it was like being inside the narrator’s head sometimes. But the storyline was not for me. There were too many characters to keep straight. Too many coincidences occurred that carried the story forward, but seemed contrived. I figured out the ending much too early. Overall, I’m not a mystery lover (I read this for my book club), and I did not really enjoy this book.
Nina
Yellowface by R. F. Kuang
I enjoyed that the book was written in the first person. I learned so much about the intricacies of the publishing business. There was even a sweet love story.
Helen
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
This was a very well written book. It was serious as well as had very humorous in parts. I had a hard time putting it down. It really held my interest.
Elizabeth
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Brilliant! All the accolades for this novel are deserved. It is at once a terrifically enjoyable read and thought-provoking.
Donna
The Next Girl by Carla Kovach
Four years ago, Detective Gina had failed to find a missing woman and the case had gone cold. A baby is found in the doorway of a building without any identification. A distorted phone call comes into the police station telling them to check the DNA of the baby. The DNA of the baby showed that it matched the mysterious missing woman from four years ago. The case is reopened and Gina is determined to find the mother to learn her story. This novel tells the and emotions of the family of the victim and the extent the police will go to solve this bizarre case.
Mamie
Bones Under the Ice by Mary Ann Miller
Interesting characters - good start to a new series.
Donna
Distant Shores by Kristin Hannah
Elizabeth and Jack had married young and have two daughters who are in college. Elizabeth put her dreams aside to be a good wife and mother. Jack was a popular football player and he enjoyed all the attention, until he had an injury that ended his football career. Throughout the marriage, Elizabeth was the thread that kept the family intact. After years of moving from one location to another, they finally purchased a home in Oregon where they could settle down. Jack accepts a job in NYC without discussing it with her. Their marriage was stale, Elizabeth had no passion and felt empty. She had to make a decision as to whether she should continue as things had been or to pursue the dreams that she had discarded when she got married.
Susan
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
Loved this book and look forward to seeing the movie!
Donna
Still Life With Murder by P. B. Ryan
Cape Cod, 1864. Nell Sweeney is working as an assistant for a doctor who has been called to assist with the delivery of a baby to servant girl in August and Viola Hewitt’s vacation home. The baby is born and the mother does not want her. Viola insists that she will raise the baby and wants Nell to go back to Boston to help raise her. Boston, 1868. Nell has been with the Hewitt’s for over three years and cherishes her new life. The Hewitt’s had four sons, two of which were reported as killed during the Civil War. Unknown to them, William their black sheep son, was not killed and is accused of murdering a man in a fight. Nell does not believe William is a murderer and becomes involved in trying to learn what happened.
Donna
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Jacob’s fame as a successful author had faded and he’s teaching writing in a less than prestigious college. Evan, one of his difficult students tells him the plot of a novel he’s writing. When Jacob learns about Evan’s suicide, he remembers the story described to him by Evan and decides to write the novel. It becomes a bestseller and soon Jacob begins receiving anonymous emails stating that the story had been stolen. Jacob decides to search for the sender. He discovers that the story is more bizarre than he thought. This book starts slowly and builds as you continue to read it.
Donna
Far Gone by Danielle Girard
This is the second book of a series and can be read as a standalone book because the author did a great job of incorporating the background of some of the characters in this novel. Three storylines come together in a twisted way. Hannah, a teenager on drugs, is missing after witnessing a double murder, Lily, a nurse, who had been kidnapped over a decade ago and has blocked the memory of her captivity and Kylie, the detective who is searching for Hannah and trying to solve the case of the murders. There are some very tense and exciting chapters in this hard-to-put-down book.
Maureen
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
Interesting.
Donna
Her Final Confession by Lisa Regan
Detective Josie Quinn is sent to the crime scene at the home of her friend and coworker, Detective Gretchen Palmer. A young man is found dead with a bullet in his back from Gretchen’s gun and she is missing. Josie cannot accept that Gretchen could have done this and becomes obsessed with the case. Days later, Gretchen turns herself in at the police station and claims she is responsible for the boys death, but won’t say anything else. Josie is convinced that Gretchen is hiding something or protecting someone. A serial murderer from a cold case 10 years prior has come to town. There are signs that this murderer is tied to Gretchen’s case. Josie puts all of her efforts into solving this puzzle.
Donna
If Only She Knew by Pamela Crane
Four teenagers decide to sneak into Bloodson Manor which was abandoned and is rumored to be haunted. They discover items in the manor that could help explain what happened 160 years ago. There is a history and secrets that have kept the Bloodson and Valence families at war with each other through time. A young girl is murdered and an attempted murder by someone intent to stopping Peace Bloodson from learning the truth and ending the feud.
Donna
Anywhere You Run by Wanda M. Morris
Mississippi, 1964. Violet and Marigold are Black sisters who have dreams for their future but circumstances have forced them to make desperate decisions for their safety. Violet secretly leaves town to avoid the law. Marigold is left behind and falls in love, only to be abandoned when she becomes pregnant. On the run, one from the law and one from society, they head north. They are being hunted and tragedy occurs. One line in the novel stood out: “the plans we make and they way they don’t work out is a wonder”.
Donna
Her Perfect Twin by Sarah Bonner
This novel has three major characters; Megan, Chris and Leah. Megan has been married to Chris for four years and her marriage is beginning to unravel. Megan and her estranged twin sister, Leah, haven’t spoken to each other for over five years. Megan finds photos of Chris with a woman who looks exactly like her and decides to confront Leah. They argue and one is killed. This book is about betrayal, greed, murder and psychological manipulation. This is a terrific and twisted story that is a page turner even though it isn’t fast paced exciting. The reader needs to keep reading so they can keep up with the twists. If you enjoy psychological drama, you will love this book.
Donna
Overkill by Sandra Brown
Rebecca and Zach had married for a short period of time and have been divorced for five years without any contact. Rebecca has been a hardcore party girl and is in a unresponsive condition in the hospital after one party too many. Zach receives a phone call telling him that he is her guardian and only he can make the decisions regarding her health since she never changed her Medical Power of Attorney. Rebecca’s parents hate Zach and even though she is in a vegetative condition they will not allow him to transfer the Power of Attorney over to them. Zach decides to honor their wishes to let her live even though she will never get better. This novel is a suspenseful mystery.
Donna
We Should Not Be Friends by Will Schwalbe
I’ve read many books about female friendship and never gave much thought about friendships between men. Will and Maxie met while attending Yale. There isn’t anything about them that would make them likely friends for over 40 years. Will is a small, reserved, gay man who is interested in books and writing. Maxie is a straight large man, entergetic and a jock. Their friendship remains strong even though there are periods of little or no contact. They are both dedicated to helping others though in different ways. There are some interesting lessons and reminders of what is important.
Susan
Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea
Set in the middle of World War II, a story of two woman that work for the Red Cross making donuts and coffee for the troops. Very heavy descriptions of war. Some romance. A story of the war I did not know. The Donut Dollies worth learning about.
Michele
My Heart Will Find You by Jude Deveraux
Great book about time travel. Traveling back in time Etta finds the people who mean the most to her in her life, who have touched her life. Is she able to bring some together for life? Will it last? When she finds her true love, how will be come back to this life to be her husband? Is it all a dream or did someone write this for it all to happen?
Linda
Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat
This memoir was a book club pick; otherwise I wouldn't have read it. Hooray, book clubs! Danticat was separated from her parents for eight years when they immigrated to the US and her uncle raised her in Haiti. She speaks of the diaspora she felt when finally joining them in NY. But her focus is mostly on her father and her uncle (his brother). Joseph, remained in Haiti despite the poverty and political dangers until he finally had to leave. What happens over the thirty years that these brothers are separated but how close they remain is a lesson in love. What should have been a happy reunion, though, goes horribly wrong. I'm glad I read the book.
Donna
The Maze by Nelson DeMille
John Cory is back investigating police corruption in a small town on Long Island. His wit, sarcasm, and ability to get away with being so politically incorrect makes for a very interesting and fun read. It's especially satisfying if you have read the previous John Cory books.
Adrien
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
A great whodunnit!
Elizabeth
The Little Italian Hotel by Phaedra Patrick
You will LOVE this book!! Who would pass up a trip to Italy? THE LITTLE ITALIAN HOTEL Is a heartwarming read that will have you falling in love with Italy and the characters who learned to care about others, learned to care about themselves, learned to not give up on their present-day situations, and learned to forget about the past.
Sandi
The House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan
Great story told from a house girl's point of view. Lincoln's life provides the time line, but you get to know Mary Todd Lincoln and Ana, the house girl, and her family much better. Not just a remake of an Abraham Lincoln book. Great research into the Civil War, the Springfield riots and how Lincoln's life and his manner affected other people. Living in Illinois and learning a lot about Lincoln, this is truly a good book from a different point of view.
Jean
X by Sue Grafton
I read all of Grafton's books about Kinsey Milhone this year. Things I liked - Kinsey and most of the other characters. Things I didn't like - too much time in the later books catching up on info provided in the earlier books. The mystery cases were captivating and full of unexpected twists. In X, Kinsey becomes a not dead victim of a serial killer she is unsuccessful in catching. She solves a case of ripoff artists who illegally move into vacant houses and helps an estranged couple reconcile while they sell a valuable painting.
Rosa
Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler
Ira and Maggie Moran are driving to Pennsylvania from Baltimore to go to the funeral of Max, the husband of Maggie's best friend Serena. The day turns into a metaphor of their marriage and their lives together: how they go this way and that, primarily because of their personalities. Ira is quiet and analytical, while Maggie is talkative and meddlesome. Maggie is desperately trying to reunite their son Jesse with their former daughter-in-law, Fiona. The day doesn't go as planned, much like life. This book was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1989. I read this for book club and I think there will be quite a lot to discuss!
Lisa
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford
I always enjoy reading Jamie Ford's books & this was no exception. Afong Moy was the first Chinese woman in the Americas and the story follows the lives of her female descendants. (Make sure to have the helpful family tree at the beginning of the book handy as Ford flips back and forth between generations.) Although a bit more dystopian than I would usually prefer, the area of epigenetics that I had never heard about and the question of inheriting trauma made this book a very interesting read.
Beth
Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker
I had high expectations for this book but I really didn't like it. It alternates between a history of the family and the evolving way science and medicine look at schizophrenia. The way the parents raised their children was abhorrent. I was also expecting that the science part of it would reveal some answers as to why 6 of the Galvins 12 children became schizophrenic. But it didn't.
Dorothy
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Pulitzer Prize winner. Good for book club. Takes place in the deep South late 1990 forward following the life of Demon Copperhead in the foster care system and what a disservice it is to children. Most never get ahead in life. A "heavy" read.
Betty
The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis
We enjoy Davis' incorporation of iconic NYC landmarks into historical mysteries.
Ann Marie
Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez
What a great book! Once again, Mariana Enriquez writes a masterpiece. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
Jayne
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford
This is a superiorly wonderful book. I loved his first book HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET. and liked this so very much, also. This book made me very inquisitive with the time traveling sections. The women were fantastic characters, and I loved the developing of Karma and mental health. Feeding mice with false memories is a very interesting research concept.
Nancy
My Magnolia Summer by Victoria Benton Frank
Wonderful addition to the ranks of authors writing books set in Charleston, SC! And her mother would definitely be proud!
Rose
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Poppy and Alex meet at college, and they are quite a mismatched pair. However, they have a friendship that is solid. Although they live in different places, they still meet each summer for a trip. That all changed two years earlier in Croatia, when something happened, and they stopped talking. Now, there is a chance for another trip, and Poppy hopes that she can make Alex see her as more than a friend. Sweet romance, modeled after "When Harry Met Sally".
Rose
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
I loved this story about Jacob and Briana, two ER docs who are recovering from failed relationships. Jacob is an introvert, and Briana doesn't know how to trust, as her heart has been broken too often. As they learn about each other through a sweet friendship, and a selfless act, their love is exposed, but they are faking their relationship for Jacob's family. However, it isn't fake, but neither one can admit their feelings. This story is all about trust, showing up, and being there for the ones you love.
I loved it!
Sandy
The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda
I really had a hard time keeping the characters straight, but I am 75 years old!! I did find this book very entertaining though. I would recommend it to anyone.
Kim
That Summer by Jennifer Weiner
A novel written on the cusp of the Me, Too Era, the reader meets the two Dianas and their challenge to overcome the powerful, controlling men in their lives. Taking place on the East Coast, the novel follows the fraternity of highly regarded colleges and their disregard for wrongdoings of the past . Author Jennifer Weiner has packed the story with her humor and the plight of women. A true page-turner!
Liz
We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange
This is a family saga centered around an Irish Catholic family. It is about secrets kept, ones that destroyed relationships and had the capacity of tearing the family apart. It is also about facing the truth and discussing it as well as forgiveness. The ending was easy to figure out. I felt the writing a bit slow. For me the story did not pick up until page 130. I found it to be a just “okay” story.
Elizabeth
The Reddest Rose: Romantic Love from the Ancient Greeks to Reality TV by Liv Stromquist
Stromquist juggles literary, sociological, and pop culture references with equal aplomb. Fans of Kate Beaton’s comics would particularly enjoy this.
Janet
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
It's one of those books that stays with you when you are done reading.
Edie
The Love You Save by Goldie Taylor
Could not put it down! Unbelievable!
Bliss
Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline
LOYALTY was well written and researched about how the mafia started in Sicily. The characters were well developed and eventually interwoven towards the end.
Francisca
Love, Loss and What We Ate by Padma Lakshmi
I don’t read a lot of celebrity memoirs, but when a friend recommended this one I had to see what the fuss was about. From what she relates of her early adulthood (into her 40s), I got the impression that she identified herself by the man she was attached to, which irritated me. But I liked the portions of the book that took us back to her childhood in India, to the cultures, foods, sights, sounds and smells that helped form her. By the end I grew to appreciate the woman she has become.
Rose
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald
Sara began a friendship with Amy discussing and trading books through letters. When Amy invites Sara to come to Broken Wheel, Iowa, from Sweden, for a holiday, Sara agrees. However, when Sara arrives, she finds that Amy has died. The town, however, has been instructed by Amy to welcome Sara and treat her kindly. Sara feels like she knows the town and the people through Amy's letters. The townspeople also seem to know Sara. Sara tries to fit in, and eventually decides to open a bookstore in the vacant town. As her visitor visa is going to expire, the town comes up with a scheme to allow her to stay. Sweet, heartwarming.
Doris
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Interesting retelling of an old story but ending is rushed.
Kimberly
The Book of Charlie by David von Drehle
Although bittersweet, THE BOOK OF CHARLIE takes place when just about everything we take for granted (cars, antibiotics, technology) was yet to exist. He lived to be 109 and, thus, lived through the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the flu pandemic. Charlie was a rare individual who could claim to have witnessed not only the invention of the radio, but the cell phone and everything in between. Lucky for us, author David von Drehle befriended Charlie and decided not only to give us a brief biography of his incredible life, but to examine this life and impart Charlie's valuable life lessons. Charlie made the best of every situation and lived life to the absolute fullest.
Tessa
The Second-Worst Restaurant In France by Alexander McCall Smith
This is the second book featuring Paul Stuart, the “renowned Scottish cookbook writer.” He’s struggling with his latest book so jumps at the chance to accompany his cousin, Chloe, to France, where he hopes to find his muse, or at least a few great meals. There is not much plot to move the story along. Rather, Paul just stumbles into situations in the village as he meets new and interesting people. What I like about this book and several of McCall Smith’s other works are the characters. I enjoy peeping into their lives for a bit and watching the goings on from afar.
Rose
The Game She Plays by Siena Sterling
Wow, this was a roller coaster! Nicola (Nic) has a chance meeting on a plane to France. James, a wealthy British man, charms her and they end up traveling together. When she meets his friends, she is understandably nervous. But, the real issue is that one of the friends brings along Juliet, James' former girlfriend. When James assures Nic that there is nothing between them, Nic can't shake the feeling that he is wrong. Juliet continues to do things to unnerve Nic. She undermines Nic at every opportunity, slipping things into the conversation to upset Nic. James brushes them off. This is a tale of manipulation. It is creepy to see how devious some people can be, but the shocker is the ending! I enjoyed this quick read!
Debbie
A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie
A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED by Agatha Christie presents a fragile Miss Marple, who still aids in solving the mystery of Miss Blacklock’s problems. The story presents many characters with dual identities, like a Shakespeare drama. The action and setting did little to draw me into the story. The constant mention of the frailty of Miss Marple bored me to death. The casual love stories and the hint of two ladies being lesbians did nothing to enhance the story. This is not a favorite tale with Miss Marple.
S
I Know An Old Lady by Margaret Standafer
Club read for mid-July meeting.
Rose
Anya by Dennis K. Hausker
Anya and Peter meet as sophomores in college and Peter is immediately taken with her. She is Russian, he is American. Peter, who is from a wealthy family, offers to buy her new clothes, and to fund her phone calls home to Russia, where her mother is suffering from cancer. Anya isn't sure about Peter's intentions. However, Peter gets his parents involved, traveling to Russia to bring her mother to the US for treatment and to live. The story follows them through the next several years as they manage their relationship. I would have liked to have more of setting details and less back and forth dialog. I was also shocked at how quickly their relationship progressed and the choices Anya made, with Peter's agreement. Not realistic.
Jo Anne
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
This book was a real page-turner; I read it in 24 hours because I couldn't put it down. The book is about a private luxury jet that crashes into the ocean with only two survivors. There are six adults on board along with two children and three crew members. The author keeps the reason why the plane crashed a mystery until the very end and I could not guess why. The reader learns about the lives of each of the people on board throughout the book and also how the news media plays a role in all of our lives when there is a big story to report; or perhaps to entertain us? I had to read this book for my upcoming book club and I am so glad it was recommended. I highly recommend this book if you are a lover of mystery and suspense.
Jeanne
Summer on Sag Harbor by Sunny Hostin
SUMMER ON SAG HARBOR by Sunny Hostin is an interesting and entertaining summer beach read. It was well written and dealt with various issues society struggles with, including racial injustices and the pandemic. The women on Sag Harbor were all very wealthy and in my opinion, I felt even though they were passionate about protecting their town, at times they appeared shallow and self-centered by placing so much importance on things like designer clothes and handbags, for example.
Elizabeth
The Last Lifeboat by Hazel Gaynor
Another Hazel Gaynor masterpiece you won’t want to miss. Historical fiction - WWII. Alice King and Lily Nichols had never met until the day Alice volunteered to be an escort for her children and other children on the SS Carlisle (SS City of Benares) from London to Canada. When the ship was torpedoed by the Germans, Lifeboat 12 with 35 passengers floated in the water for eight days waiting to be rescued. THE LAST LIFEBOAT is based on true events and tells us this heartbreaking story through Ms. Gaynor's marvelous research and writing style.
Sue
Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls
Walls captured the heart of life in the Prohibition era. She also creates very strong female characters. Loved the story!
Mindy
The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis
Romance and mystery in a wonderfully-written story that has a main character who can "feel" the echo of the person who owned a book.
Judith
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
At first, I found it hard to get into this book then stuck with it and I'm glad I did. I recommend it to patrons who enjoy Elin Hilderbrand and Taylor Jenkins Reid, and to my fellow Brooklyners! I appreciated the character growth and development, and the complexities of relationships among race and class within families.
Rosalyn
The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar
Fast read and well written.
Linda
The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel
The book was so good. It took me to another place and time and I loved it. Her books are always so good. I saw her, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Mary Kay Andrews and Patti Callahan Henry in Huntsville and they were so good.
Linda
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
I know this is not a new one but I had not read it. It was fantastic. Getting to know about her life was interesting. After reading, I waited a couple of days and then watched the movie. It was great, too. I loved the photos at the end of the movie.
Karen
Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See
Incredibly researched, blending fact with fiction to create this masterful story. Tan Yunxian is fascinating as we follow her from childhood through her adult life to the respected elder she becomes. Although born into an elite family, she is not spared the cultural yet barbaric process of foot binding. This very act is described in great detail and we come to understand the proverb, 'no mud - no lotus'. Lisa See shows us how this educated woman navigates the world of Chinese medicine (learned at the heels of her grandparents) and how she eventually breaks free from the traditional expectations a woman is held to during the Ming Dynasty. I highly recommend this to anyone who has an interest in historical fiction and the power of women.
Rose
The Girl in the Toile Wallpaper by Mary K. Savarese
Time travel story of a young boy, Tyler, who travels into wallpaper back 250 years to right a wrong and move true love forward. Tyler goes to Florence with his Aunt Meg while she has to handle a job removing some precious toile wallpaper. However, after her first day, bringing back some of the panels, Tyler falls ill. Meg has to return to the work site, and while Tyler is alone in the room, he is pulled into the wallpaper. He then hears a story of Lyly and how she was betrothed to an evil man. There is also a story of a Celestial Kitty Cat, who is awaiting his return to human form. It all goes together and Tyler, now adult, returns to Florence, seeking true love like he saw with Lyly. Interesting fairy tale romance with fantasy.
Rose
Fire Prayers by John Ramirez
Former Satanic member turned evangelical preacher writes a book on how to combat witchcraft and Satan. While I am happy that Ramirez has found spiritual redemption and is trying to help other people "combat the enemy", I feel that religion is highly personal, and his words don't resonate with me. However, I hope that some people may find comfort and guidance in this book and with these prayers. Lots of chapters, suggestions and various prayers to help you address various spiritual issues.
Rose
I'm Just Saying: A Guide to Maintaining Civil Discourse in an Increasingly Divided World by Milan Kordestani
This is a very timely book with concrete suggestions and advice on how to maintain civil discourse. In our world today, especially in America, politics are extremely divided. Families and friends are sharply divided about things in the news. In order to maintain civility, the author suggests ways to keep calm, to adjust and be conscious of your tone, to meditate and consider your thoughts, as well as other techniques. It is an important book to help people engage with others who disagree with your viewpoint, while keeping conversations civil. Good, clear advice.
Tessa
Dying for Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson
This is Book Two in the popular Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery series. It has all the elements of a successful cozy mystery series: an amateur sleuth whose career puts her in contact with a wide range of people (whether victim or suspect), a home situation with added tension, a love interest, and some great recipes. I have to admit that Goldy is pretty resourceful when getting herself out of a jam and doesn’t always rely on the big strong detective to save her. On the other hand, if she kept her nose out of business that isn’t hers…well we wouldn’t have this series.
Shiela
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
This novel is so timely with what states are facing today in the presence of abolishing abortions, women's rights controlled by the federal and states' government.
Martina
Drowning by T. J. Newman
T. J. Newman sure knows how to write a book that draws you in right from the beginning. I had to pace myself reading this, otherwise I would've binged it in one sitting. It was so good and so fast-paced, I was upset how quickly it was over. I felt like I was right there on the plane in the middle of the action, I could feel the tenseness, the fear, and the hope. This will be a fantastic movie. Of course, I would've loved even more to the ending but I audibly gasped at those last sentences. I can not wait to see what she does next with her writing!
WENDY
The Woman Inside by M. T. Edvardsson
This is a twisty story where the chapters move from Karla, who moves in with Bill and his daughter, the Rytters, whose home Karla cleans, and Jennica, a single woman who lives with her cat and is looking for love. When Jennica meets the man of her dreams, Steven, she can't believe her luck. As these stories overlap and we learn more about their lives, the anticipation of what's to come increases. I really enjoyed reading this one until reading was just not fast enough and I switched to the audio version. The different voices and accerating climax was so well done, I could not put this one down. I'm glad I started off reading it because the different people could be hard to keep straight. Fans of his other book will like this one.
WENDY
Beward the Woman by Megan Abbott
Jacy has what she's always wanted, a husband who loves her who she loves, and a baby on the way. She couldn't be happier. When she and Jed go to visit Jed's family, who live pretty off the grid, in a remote area of Michigan, things start to get creepy and weird. The long they stay, the more that niggling feeling makes Jacy's skin crawl and she just needs for them to leave. As the nights go by, the creepier the story gets. The suspense builds as Jed's family's secrets unfold. This is a perfect summer beach read for suspense/thriller readers.
WENDY
What We Kept to Ourselves by Nancy Jooyuon Kim
The dual timeline in this story works so well and comes together at the end, leaving the reader wanting more. The story follows a Korean family living in California. The Kim family, John, Sunny, and their children, Ana and Ronald, are thrown a curve ball when Sunny, mom, goes missing and, a year after she goes missing, a dead man shows up in their yard with a letter with Sunny's name on it. Through flashbacks to 1977 from 1999, Sunny's life unfolds and the suspense builds as to how a dead man ended up in their yard. I have not yet read THE LAST STORY OF MINA LEE, but I am certainly looking forward to it now! I also am anxious to try some of the Korean dishes they talked about.
WENDY
Kantika by Elizabeth Graver
I had a hard time getting involved in this story as I did not care for Alberto. However, once I got involved with Rebecca and her family, I really enjoyed it. The story follows this Sephardic Jewish family when they flee the dangers in Turkey, back to Spain, to Cuba and eventually the United States. I really felt Rebecca's loneliness, isolation, and stress of moving and having to start over and then over again. The audiobook is a little difficult to follow in the beginning, I would definitely read the print version. Kantika means "song" in Ladino, the Jewish Sephardic Spanish dialect still spoken in Istanbul, Turkey.
WENDY
The Secret Book of Flora Lee by Patti Callahan
During WWII, British children were sent to live in the English countryside, Canada, and the United States. In this story, Flora and her sister were sent to live in the English countryside. This is their story, what happened during the time they were there and their lives after the children who were sent away went home. I recently read BEYOND THAT THE SEA, where the child was sent to Boston and liked that one much better. That certainly affected my rating of this one. I did like the narration.
WENDY
Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum
Well, you’ve got the whole small town vibe of very wealthy people in this story! These wealthy New Yorkers descend on this small town of Salcombe, on Fire Island in New York for the summer. You’ve got the resident gossip who’s in everyone’s business, the wannabe, the cheaters, the full time resident, and of course, the LBGTQ character. It’s the perfect beach read and keeps you interested from beginning to end. It was also well-narrated.
Linda
The Spectacular by Fiona Davis
I read everyone of her books. She is one of my favorite writers.
Rose
Such Kindness by Andre Dubus III
What a beautiful book! Tom is disabled from a fall he took when he owned his own construction company. That fall began a fall of everything in his life. His marriage failed, he became addicted to painkillers, and his son became distant. Now, his son, Drew, is turning 20, and Tom is trying to do everything he can to reach him to tell Drew that he loves him. But, life's circumstances keep getting in the way. Not until someone shows Tom some kindness does Tom realize that he needs to start opening up and letting kindness take over his life. He begins to accept his mistakes and make amends. There was a bit of abuse and language in the book, but it seemed realistic and genuine. I will think about this book for some time.
Jane
Once Upon a Buggy by Shelley Shepherd Gray
An adventure into Amish life. A barn gets hit by lightning starting a fire. Carl and May are in barn. Carl works to get May out of barn. Lives changed as Carl burned quite badly. Causes two families to not speak to each other for years and they are neighbors. Carl has been gone getting burn treatment but then don't return home. Finally he is coming to visit his family. May blames herself for his burns because she froze from the fire. You feel like you are walking together observing them. A tornado hits Apple Creek, Ohio. May's family has damage to their barn but house stays untouched. Carl's family doesn't have any damage. A barn raising brings the whole community together. God's care is shown in keeping families safe. I recommend.
Cheryl
House on Fire by D. Liebhart
HOUSE ON FIRE is a well-written story of compassion, love, heartache, and grief. A story of a man that drifts into a black hole of dementia, while a family tries to make end of life plans. The family debates, what would you do, if years before, your loved one tells you they wouldn't want to live that way if an illness takes over. Members of the family all have different opinions. I loved the way the story was told as the family grapples with a difficult decision of how to handle a debilitating disease.
Fran
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
I resisted reading this book for a while, but now that I did, Wow!! I looove Demon Copperhead! What a remarkable, resilient character! I am now recommending it to everyone! Way to go, Barbara Kingsolver!
Sean
Mortal Prey by John Sandford
John Sandford's cop hero, Lucas Davenport, heads to Mexico and then St. Louis to settle an old score with contract killer Clara Rinker. Their paths crossed before and neither happy how it turned out. This seemed a little different than the previous titles in the series as Davenport's out on Minnesota but still using his street-level policework to get to the bottom of things. Rinker's actions escalate and the climax is thrilling. I really enjoyed the book as Davenport is super entertaining and the book wasn't very predictable. I did miss the regular supporting cast though. Overall, another very good police procedural with a daunting foe.
Marilyn
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
What an incredible story of life in India. These compelling characters draw the reader’s attention with their imaginative storytelling.
Paula
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
The first Reese's Book Club book that I have read. Interesting that the story is told from a couple of perspectives. Well done and unexpected. After the first 100 pages, I could not put the book down! Quite a satisfying read. I felt triumphant when I finished reading.
Paula
Meet Me in London by Georgia Toffolo
My kind of chic-lit. There is a strong girlfriend connection and I enjoyed how this girlfriend bond and the sense of community carried through the story. Though it is set later in the year, I would recommend it as a beach read, too!
sherry
The Fashion Orphans by Randy Susan Meyers, M. J. Rose, et al.
Slow moving.
Nancy
Fly Girl by Ann Hood
What a fun book! I love Ann Hood’s fiction and was equally transfixed by this story of her life as a stewardess/flight attendant after she graduated from college and before she sold her first novel.
Sheree
Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale
It was just okay. It was an interesting theory of being able to go back and change the things you said or did wrong. It was a good book but not one I couldn't put down.
Sue
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
A delightful read that had me in tears at the end. I loved the connection between a woman and an octopus, each lonely in their own way. The ending way predictable but very satisfying.
Maryanne
Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls
Met every expectations after her bestseller, THE GLASS CASTLE. Great storyline, and as usual, extremely interesting characters.
Nancy
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Fun and different.
PJ
Harold by Steven Wright
This was a very interesting read. Most definitely humorous and twisted and thought-provoking. From the mind of a seven year old boy, many interesting things come to light. From spending time with his eccentric grandfather in Maine to his school days with his teacher Ms. Yuka and his dreams and reliving his dreams, it's an organized mess and a really good story with great imagery. From thoughts of his classmate, Elizabeth, to a room under a cemetery and the moon this book checks all the boxes for humor. Steven Wright is stand-up comic for many decades and so much more. I highly recommend this read to anyone who enjoys humor.
Dottie
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
I really enjoyed listening to this book.
Sue
Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark
One of my favorite books in a long time. An epic tale of two life long friends, spectacular storytelling and character development and a surprise ending.
Sally
A Death at the Party by Amy Stuart
I loved the way the author leads you up to the murder. Lord of twists and suspects given along the way. I read in one night! Didn’t want to put it down.
Michele
Her Only Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray
There are bucket lists for things you want to do before you die. Betsy has a life list of things she wants to do to live her life. Betsy has been overprotected by her parents her whole life due to her asthma. Betsy knows that asthma shouldn't dictate her life so she creates a list of things she wants to do and experience to really live her life. First thing on the list is golf lessons and the first person she meets for those lessons is August. Betsy finds that she can live a full life and have friends and most of all love. Betsy's life list becomes more than just things to accomplish, it brings new meaning to her life. We all need to make life lists and we may find a different purpose for our life.
Betsy
Big Trouble on Sullivan’s Island by Susan M. Boyer
This is the first book in the new Carolin Tales series, and it is obviously going to be a great one! Hadly Cooper is a strong, smart protagonist, which is the hallmark of Boyer’s main characters. The character development and plot are excellent! Hardly is a young PI building her own business, and the case she solves is full of more twists and turns than a roller coaster! I seriously went through every human emotion possible and enjoyed every single sentence. Boyer’s writing is smooth, precise and magical!
Jackie
The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle
I thought the idea was good. There was a few notable quotes I loved but I really didn't enjoy the book. I was the ONLY one in my book club who did not. I didn't like the switching back and forth of stories. I also never felt a bond with any of the characters. I didn't think there was much character development throughout the book.
Kathryn
Homecoming by Kate Morton
As always, an immersive and atmospheric story. I enjoy her writing and characters and my
"vacation" in another country. Very fun few days!
Jackie
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I loved this book. I had never read it before this. It was a touching tale in so many ways in terms of issues like loneliness and isolation. I would highly recommend it. I think the title turns people away but underneath it all it's a story of the the human race.
Karen
These Precious Days by Ann Patchett
I really enjoyed this book! Each essay was interesting, entertaining, and heartfelt. I will read more books by this author.
Beth
Gilded Mountain by Kate Manning
This is an excellent telling of a young girl’s struggle as her family lives in a small Colorado mining town. This is a story of American unionism, industrial greed, family struggles and freedom of speech. Beautiful writing and inspiring characters combine to make this book a good choice for book clubs as well as just reading about our history.
Linda
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
I read this feel-good novel for the third time because it was a book club pick; I enjoyed it just as much as when it was first recommended to me years ago. On the surface Ove appears to be a real grump; but he's really a decent, likable guy who has had some hard knocks in his life. It's a book of contrasts - I both laughed out loud and wept.
Lindy Lou
Trust by Hernan Diaz
I loved and hated this book(s) all at once. Brilliant writing and the audiobook narrators were sublime! It’s an intellectual read with lots of layers. Finances, investments and music play center stage throughout the novel.
Linda
A Favor for a Favor by Helena Hunting
Bishop Winslow is a hockey player for Seattle. His neighbor is Stevie Bowman, sister to the team's captain RJ and Bishop's enemy as he got the captain position that was rightfully Bishop's. Stevie is helping Bishop with his physical therapy and naturally RJ doesn't like it. Their friendship turns into a hot romance that is captured on video and this enrages RJ. Bishop tells Stevie to say they are dating and she says no. What is going on between them?
Linda
A Secret for a Secret by Helena Hunting
Ryan (King) Kingston is a goalie for the Seattle hockey team and Queenie Masterson is the daughter of the team's general manager. When he learned that his sister was really his mother and the woman thought of as his mother is actually his grandmother, he goes to a bar. He has several drinks lined up in front of him when a young woman joins him and asks about the line of drinks. The woman is Queenie and that night is the beginning of King finding his Queen.
Linda
3 Days to Live by James Patterson
Three short stories. "3 Days to Live" is about a former CIA agent who loses her husband and is determined to find his killer. She inhaled some of the poison gas that killed him and doctors tell her she has three days to live. She has to act fast. "Women and Children First" is about a former soldier who is now owner of a firm specializing in security procedures. Several weird “accidents” are occurring and he finds them linked to a wealthy client but now this man has put Chase’s family in harm’s way. "The Housekeepers" is about two Russian women who act as housekeepers. One is a cleaner while the other is a thief who steals from their clients.
Kathy
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
I had trouble getting into this book - so many layers, so many “sets” of characters! But I kept on, and about halfway through (this is a large book; over 500 pages) things began to come together and I started to enjoy the read. The ending was particularly engrossing! I have heard many opinions on this book, and most were very positive. I enjoyed his other books much more.
Linda
The Transported Duke by Lisa Torquay
Lord Hadrian Dankworth was transported to Australia after being found guilty of murder. His fiance Lady Matilda Henley saw her world crumble after he was sentenced. She sails to Australia and finds him on a chain gang. He is shocked to see her and for her to see him in rags. He is even more shocked when she brings him papers showing charges against him are being cleared as he was with her at the time. They sail back to England where she tells him she has enjoyed being independent and wants nothing to do with marriage or him. He is determined to change the mind of the headstrong woman he is in love with. He proposes at a ball and she has no choice but to accept. A thoroughly enjoyable book.
Linda
Without a Trace by Danielle Steel
Charlie Vincent’s car goes off the cliff into the sea and he gets out and slowly climbs back up to the street. Walking a ways, he sees the lights of a cabin and goes to the door for help. Aude Saint-Martin comes to the door and cleans his cuts and bandages him up. He counts his blessings that he found her. His marriage had been a mistake and he wants to escape his memories and live quietly with Aude, but she reminds him of his children. Although tempting to stay away and let everyone assume he drowned, he knows he has to go back and make everything right.
Linda
The Maid’s Diary by Loreth Anne White
An older woman hears a scream at a neighbor’s house and calls police. This sets into motion a murder investigation where a lot of blood is found spattered around a room but no body is found. Police question Daisy and Jon Rittenberg who were seen arriving at the house earlier in the evening. They told police they left soon after arrival but police are not buying it. Cameras at a construction site near the inlet show Jon’s car and the car belonging to a missing maid arrive at a dock but only Jon’s car leaves. It takes a while for divers to retrieve the car and the body, but the body retrieved is that of an older woman who disappeared two months ago. What happened to the missing maid?
Linda
Storm Watch by C. J. Box
Game warden Joe Pickett goes looking for a wounded elk but finds the body of a man leaning out of the window of a building. Looking closer, Joe finds the top part of the man’s head has been sheared off by some sort of fan. Shots are fired at Joe. He calls the sheriff and his boss at Game and Fish, but Joe is told to stop investigating and the governor is taking care of it. Joe’s pal Nate Romanowski is approached by a man trying to get him to join the Sovereign Nation group but Nate is suspicious of it. As Joe finds the name of the dead man and Joe's wife Mary Jo does some investigative work, the pieces begin to fit.
Linda
Bad Mother by Mia Sheridan
Sienna Walker returns to Reno, the place she vowed never to return to but, since she was transferred from her old job at NYPD, she has no choice. She is partnered with Katerina Kozlov and they have a murder victim. Clues and playing cards have been left with the body along with a note. The clues lead them to Gavin Decker, twice a World Series of Poker winner and now head of security for one of the casinos. Sienna and Gavin have a past and she’s a little antsy at first but he looks at the clues and note and helps them. This first victim is soon followed by another and the detectives try and determine how the victims are linked. More notes and clues are left. Who is the killer?
Linda
Seven Girls Gone by Allison Brennan
Beau Hebert, detective with the St. Augustine, Louisiana police department, calls his Navy buddy Michael Harris for assistance with investigating the unsolved murders of local women. Michael is part of the FBI’s Mobile Response Team. He comes to help Beau and brings along his partner Kara Quinn, a detective with LAPD on loan to the FBI. Beau tells them when arrests are made, nothing is ever done. The drug dealers are free to carry on their illegal business. The police department is corrupt. Why were the women killed? Did they see or hear something they were not supposed to?
Linda
Who Cries for the Lost by C. S. Harris
Love the Sebastian St. Cyr series -- love interest as well as history. Someone is committing atrocious murders. The first man was castrated and his face destroyed. The second man was decapitated and his hands cut off. The third man was decapitated and his feet removed. When Paul Gibson was doing the autopsy on the first victim, the man was identified as Major Miles Sedgewick. Sebastian knew him from his army days but rumors abound that Sedgewick was known for seducing the wives of his friends. Could an angry husband have killed him? Who were the other men and why were they killed?
Susan
Force of Nature by Jane Harper
This the second book of Jane Harper I have read. This one is okay. Five women go out in the Australia bush on a team boost weekend but only four come back. What happened to Alice?
Debbie
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Interesting and engaging.
Donna
Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane
Mary Pat grew up a "Southy" in Boston, which had just been ordered to bus Blacks to their school and Whites to the Black district. This book is about the hatred we teach our children that goes from generation to generation.
Dianne
Hotel Cuba by Aaron Hamburger
I learned so much about this slice of life, that occurred in the first quarter of the twentieth century, during the Prohibition era in the U.S., and at the same time in Russia/Poland, the chaos of war and its devastation leads two sisters, who happen to be Jewish, to leave their home and find some kind of safety elsewhere, and they end up in Cuba. I was touched by Pearl and Frieda's courage and their story is what glued me to the page. I hope Hamburger writes a sequel, so that I can find out more about the two sisters, whose love for each other and for family was based on his own grandmother's persecution and eventual escape to Cuba. I enjoy historical fiction and also character based novels. This one hit the mark for me and then some.
Dianne
Her Lost Words by Stephanie Marie Thornton
Thornton has written an outstanding historical novel of two women geniuses - mother and daughter, Mary Wollstonecraft, and her daughter Mary Shelley - both authors and feminists living in the late 1700s and early 1800s. I have always been fascinated with this particular moment in time, especially in Great Britain. And what a story Thornton lays before us. Both women were far ahead of their time, and lived under laws that did nothing to protect them. Both mother and daughter led lives of much struggle and pain, and yet their indomitable spirit rose above it all. Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley are intertwined with their lives. Mary Shelley's book, FRANKENSTEIN, is still a brilliant story, and it lives on.
Richard N B
Southtown by Rick Riordan
This is Book Five in the Tres Navarre mysteries. This is a hard-hitting detective series, and the body count climbs as the plot progresses. I like Tres. He’s intelligent and a bit sarcastic. The setting is practically a character, and Riordan includes many landmark locations that brings this reader right into the heart of San Antonio.
Ann Marie
Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See
What an awesome book Lisa See has written. Just the culture and detail were amazing. I don't think there was one person in the room who didn't love this book!
Joan
The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry
Your heart will break and you will fall in love with the characters. The descriptions of Binsey, England during WWII will make you want to drop right into the book’s setting. Heartwarming.
Coleen
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
This was a really good book about women’s relationships.
Dawn
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
I've never read any other books by this author, so I didn't know what to expect, but a friend recommended it and I thouroughly enjoyed it! Great characters, I learned a lot, and I grew to love Lexington (aka Darley)!
Dawn
Drowning by T. J. Newman
What an emotional thrill ride! I devoured this book in less than a day, and although I know next to nothing about the inner workings of airplanes and rescue/recovery missions, it didn't matter...it had me on the edge of my seat!
Christine
Go as a River by Shelley Read
I can’t remember where I first read about this novel but I’m never going to forget reading it. Beautifully written, this historical fiction debut is a walk through another time in Colorado. The book drew me in from the beginning and kept me wishing and wondering until the very end. A very satisfying read.
Christine
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
A wonderfully-written saga that went on a bit too long for my liking. The story grabbed me on the first page but then lost me later (100s of pages in)…then grabbed me again and lost me again. I think because of the length of this book it was difficult to follow each of the storylines. I’d read 200 pages and then the story would change to another time and it was difficult for me to remember who was who. I eventually wrote a "cheat sheet" to help me. It became a chore. In the end, I did enjoy the story, but I could not recommend it to my friends. To each his own.
Beth
The Match by Harlan Coben
I've read most of Harlan Coben's books, and to all I've given four or five-star ratings. So I usually begin reviews of his books with something like "He has done it again." THE MATCH is another winner (which is another way of saying, he's done it again). THE MATCH is a continuation of Coben's series with Wilde. This time the subject matter involves DNA websites and reality TV shows. Because Wilde knows nothing about his past, he finally decides to submit DNA to one of those websites in hopes of finding a match to a relative. That leads him to a possible match with a reality TV star.
Robin
My Magnolia Summer by Victoria Benton Frank
This is a fabulous debut novel. Victoria clicks all the boxes for Southern Women's Fiction. She has definitely made her mama proud. The novel revolves around three generations of tough Southern women.
MH
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
Although I liked this book better than I did THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY, I still didn’t enjoy it much. The idea that one could grow old forever without looking older is one people have searched for (beauty products, etc.), but never found. I did like the parts set in olden days, where he met people like Shakespeare, but thought the plot jumped around a lot. The part with Camille was left unresolved. I read this book for book club; otherwise, I doubt I’d have picked it up or finished it.
Jeanne
The Senator’s Wife by Liv Constantine
THE SENTATOR'S WIFE by Liv Constantine is a psychological, suspense-filled thriller from beginning to the very last page with a setting among the wealthy and most elite in D.C. I found it to be suspenseful with twists and turns at every angle. It was a nail-biting, spine-chilling storyline with an ending that totally shocked and blew my mind.
Beth
The Sweet Hereafter by Russell Banks
A bus crash kills 14 children, devastating a small upstate New York town. A good character study but I didn’t like the portrayal of the lawyers.
Janet
Lethal by Sandra Brown
Very action-packed.
Muriel
The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry
During WWII, Operation Pied Piper in England helped families move children in heavily populated areas that were being bombed to safer places. In Henry’s book, sisters Hazel and Flora Lea settled well into their new life with Bridie and her son Harry until 6 year-old Flora Lea disappeared and was presumed drowned. This shattering loss changed the lives of all, especially Hazel. The book goes back and forth between 1940 and 20 years later when Hazel finds a clue in the form of a book about Whisperwood, an imaginary place Hazel used in storytelling to calm Flora. There’s a mystery to unravel here and surprising revelations. This was a captivating tale of family love, sisterly bonds, magic of storytelling, and not losing hope.
Barbara
The Body in the Web by Katherine Hall Page
I've enjoyed all the "The Body in the" books by Katherine Hall Page and found this one to be just interesting as the rest. It was written during the pandemic and has many references to what we were all doing during that time - face masks, standing 6 feet apart, the search for vaccinations, etc. So happy we're done with all that!
Cheryle
Along Came a Cowgirl Daring and Iconic Women of the Rodeo and Wild West Shows by Chris Enss
In ALONG CAME A COWGIRL, author Chris Enss introduces you to the world of early rodeo. This small book is huge in personality and information regarding women who dared to make their way in a world that at the time was typically male-dominated. These women were talented and not afraid to show the world their talents in rodeo arenas across the nation in the early twentieth century. They dared to compete against male competitors in such contests as saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling, trick riding, shooting, and others. Each rodeo category has stories of the women who excelled in them and the author brings to life a little known history.
Diane
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
This book held my interest from the first chapter. I learned so much about what transgender individuals deal with, and I had no idea of their struggles at such an early age. The authors of this book did a terrific job in their collaboration. I’m still not sure which author wrote which chapter! I would recommend this book to everyone. As soon as I finished the book I passed it on.
Barbara
The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry
Alternating timelines and settings allow us to follow the lives of two sisters separated while still children. Many London children were evacuated during the early months of WWII to protect them from German bombing. The younger sister, Flora, somehow disappears one day, and older sister Hazel lives with guilt for not paying enough attention. Now, twenty years later, a surprising book turns up which both mystifies and thrills Hazel, but the unraveling of the mystery may be costly. Hazel has to decide if she is willing to give up so much in order to MAYBE find out what happened to Flora twenty years earlier. A heartwarming story, believable characters, well-described setting. Loved it!
Claire
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
This series has been one of my favorites for a while, but this newest edition was not my thing. Hidden in these almost 800 pages was about 400 pages of a good book, but I think it needed to be edited down a lot. The spice level was too high for me, and I think distracted from the plot - perhaps if the author had picked her three favorite smut scenes and deleted the rest, I would have felt better about the pacing. The plot where they are recovering the dread trove of magical artifacts to prepare for a second war was awesome, but I feel like it got lost in everything else. I wanted more about the sentient artifacts and their histories and plans, less of the romance that just didn't feel exciting after 400 pages of it.
Tessa
Taken to the Cleaners by Dolores Johnson
The first book in the Mandy Dyer cozy mystery series gets the dry cleaner involved with a local bag lady brings in one of the cleaner’s signature laundry bags, inside of which is a bloody suit. I figured out the killer long before either Mandy or the police, but it still held my attention. This was first published in 1997 and it shows - limited computer use, no cell phones. Still, I’d be willing to try another in the series.
Elizabeth
The Shore by Katie Runde
A coming-of-age story of two sisters living in the Northeast. They are dealing with a father dying of a brain tumor and a mother who is deliberating what to do after his death. Move? Start over in a new town?
Rose
Happy Place by Emily Henry
Harriet is meeting her friends in her happy place in Maine for a week. She is shocked when her former fiancé, Wyn, is also there. However, none of their friends are aware of the break-up, so Harriet and Wyn are put in a room together. The story reviews their 8 year romance and their whispered talks as they got to know each other. Harriet, in her residency at a hospital in CA, is separated from Wyn who returned to his country roots when his mom got ill. Their separation and paths kept them apart and it broke them. Will this week together rekindle their romance and let them get beyond the hurt feelings? I enjoyed this story, but I sometimes wish people would just talk before they blow up a relationship instead of burying their thoughts.
Rose
Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman
Bess, Joni and Evangeline are BFFs. Yet, after a summer in Greece 10 years earlier, only Bess and Joni return home. Ev is dead, and Bess and Joni were suspects, but then were free to go. Now, Joni is involved in another mysterious disappearance, and she asks Bess to cover for her. Bess has to decide if she trusts Joni and if she will stand behind her like Joni did for her years earlier. However, as this new case is examined, and the media hounds her, Bess wonders what the truth about their friendship really is and who she can trust. What really happened 10 years earlier, and what is happening now? A story of friendship being tested to the limits and of innocence that was lost.
Rose
Nonna Maria and the Case of the Missing Bride by Lorenzo Carcaterra
This is the first book in the Nonna Maria series and it was very well done! I enjoyed reading about this elderly woman in town, who seems to know everyone, and even is friends with some dangerous characters. Anna comes to Nonna Maria scared. She is now engaged to a man that she thought she loved, but realizes he is very dangerous, and may wish to harm her once they are married. Nonna Maria encourages Anna to disappear while she investigates what is happening. Nonna relies on her wits and her friendships to save Anna. Very enjoyable. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
Rose
Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace by Lorenzo Carcaterra
This was more complicated than Book 1, in my opinion, as it followed not only a case of the stolen necklace but a long ago wrong that was done to one of Nonna Maria's friends. When a necklace is allegedly stolen from a hotel room, and one of Nonna Maria's relatives is accused, Nonna steps in to help the police. Nonna questions whether a necklace ever existed. Additionally, a body is found in the roadway, but it isn't a car crash that killed the woman, but something worse. Nonna investigates this, as well, and uncovers some ugly secrets that the powerful in the town sought to conceal. I hope there is a Book 3 because the ending is a bit of a teaser!
Rose
City of Dreams by Don Winslow
I absolutely loved the first book in the trilogy, so I was excited to read part two of Danny's story. This picks up with Danny fleeing the northeast after his wife's death to head to CA. He is on the run from the law and the mob after destroying 10 kilos of heroin. Danny wants to stay away from the drug trade, he knew it was trouble from the start. Now Danny is trying to make a better life for himself and his son. Danny's father is dying and Danny is on the run. How can he break free?
I enjoyed this book, but the language and the rampant sex was a bit much. Still, I will wait to see what is next in Book 3, the final book of Danny Ryan's story.
Rona
Dreams Into Action by Milton Katselas
Not enough meat in this book. Talked too much about interactions with actors and I couldn't relate.
Rita
An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed (Elderly Lady, #2) by Helene Tursten
Maude may be eighty-eight years old but she can be spry when she wants to and appear confused and elderly when she needs to as well. You see Maude has spent her life taking care of her mother along with her older sister who had mental issues. She would also take on anyone or anything that threaten her livelihood and even others who seem to need some assistance. Get to know Maude and you'll find her clever and shocking.
Jane
Tracking the Tiny Target by Connie Queen
This is first book I read by this author. Won't be my last. Danger abounds in it. Ready to go looking for a kidnapped three-year-old boy. Bristol Delaney keeps getting in grave danger. As a mother she won't give up til she finds her son. Deputy Chandler Murphy sticks with her because Bristol's ex-husband he believes is involved in the fact his father never came back home. Murphy and his K-9 partner, Tucker, stuck close to Bristol trying to protect her. This book is very hard to lay down. I highly recommend it.
Barbara
Hello Beautiful by Anne Napolitano
Well-written storyline. Heartfelt and informing.
Jackie
The Book Hater's Book Club by Gretchen Anthony
Saw this on display at our local library - sounded good so I checked it out. I'm so happy I took a chance. I really enjoyed it. I very much liked her style of writing as well.
Kimberley
The President’s Daughter by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
Pairing these two writers to create this second Washington, DC thriller is brilliant. Both bring such expertise to the subject of politics and the ‘what if’s’ of international military spec ops. The story demonstrates what happens when politics, ambition and greed obstruct procedures and therefore, lives are at risk or lost. It’s a fast paced page-turner with a tight circle of unforgettable characters. Short chapters make for quick action storytelling. It’s a great read.
Kathleen
The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry
Interesting story and wonderfully written. Fascinating storyline about Operation Pied Piper in London during WWII. A great read!
Agnes
The Appeal by Janice Hallett
A modern twist on a whodunnit, this novel is written in emails and texts. While there are a lot of characters, you learn to distinguish each through the tone of their messages. The mystery is reverse-engineered in a story that unfolds with plotting similar to Agatha Christie. You realize each of the characters has reason to kill or be killed. Try it if you like a crime novel that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Mary Anne
Summer Stage by Meg Mitchell Moore
A beachy island novel for the summer = perfect. The story follows the preparation for a production of a Shakespear play. I love Ms. Moore's books and this is a great one. It's also fun to see a few of the characters from a previous novel make cameo appearances and see what they are up to now.
Kay
Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce
A sweet tale about the unlikely friendship between two women! Quirky and different.
Sandy
The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel
I love this author and this is the best one ever!! The ending just blew my mind! Anyone who loves historical fiction must read this one.
Rose
Yellowface by R. F. Kuang
June Hayward and Athena Liu were friends, both hoping to become published authors. When Athena gets published very early, June is a bit jealous. Then, when Athena dies with June nearby, June takes Athena's draft manuscript, reworks it a bit, and submits it as her original work. It is about Chinese laborers - but June is White, so her editor changes her name to Juniper Song, so she sounds more ethnic. However, June/Juniper is attacked for the book, and is accused of stealing the book. June tries to claim that the work is hers, but someone is haunting her. She wonders if Athena is really dead, and if so, who is claiming that the work was stolen?
This reminded me of the controversy around the author of American Dirt.
Rose
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune
I fell in love with Will and Fern, and felt both heartache at parts of their story and joy at others.
This book examines the pair and the day they met in a coffee shop 10 years earlier, and then again in the present, when they meet again. Fern is dealing with a tragedy and the pressure of running a resort when Will appears at the resort. Fern doesn't know how to react to seeing Will again. What will happen between them? As you learn more about their story, you find yourself rooting for them to make it work, until it comes crashing down around them. But why? Will they be able to find their way back? Unwanted pregnancies, depression, death-possible triggers, but I loved this story.
Hannah
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama is incredibly gifted and descriptive writer, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about her as Michelle and not just her as Barack Obama’s wife.
Francisca
Violin of Auschwitz by Maria Àngels Anglada
2.5 stars. I really wanted to like this book…no…I wanted to love this book. But it missed the mark for me. The basic storyline is engaging and what kept me reading, but there were huge gaps that left me hungry for more detail. So, while the author played the reader’s heartstrings like a violin virtuoso, I felt that the book was unfinished.
Mindy
The Immoralists by Chloe Benjamin
It was good but not great. Each section seemed like a separate story. It never really came together at the end.
Rose
Starry-Eyed Love by Helena Hunting
London Spark and her sisters are enjoying a night out when an extremely attractive man pays for their food and drinks and gives her his number. Since she just broke up with her boyfriend, she refuses the offer. But three months later, Spark House is given an opportunity to partner with a large firm. London handles presentations, and at this meeting, handsome CEO Jackson Holt sees her and decides to join the meeting. Of course, he is the man she refused months earlier.
The attraction between the two is undeniable, but Jackson is trying to keep it professional. However, he slips, and from then on, they can't stay apart. Yet London believes he is holding something back, plus she has loads of responsibility at Spark House. Sweet romance.
Deborah
A Knife in the Fog by Bradley Harper
The author cobbles together fiction and history expertly with such detail that he created sensory moments for me. I'm an audio reader as a rule and maybe pick up a book to sit and read once or twice a year while on vacation. This book captivated me from the very beginning, and I couldn't put it down.
Claire
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
I first read this book my junior year of high school when I dug it out of a bargain bin at the bookstore where it was selling for next to nothing. It quickly sparked my love of Sanderson's writing and inspired me to read everything else he had to offer. This is probably my third or fourth reread because, while it is not my favorite of his, there is always something comforting about the first book you read by a favorite author. It follows the story of a young princess widowed before she was wed, a prince presumed dead but in actuality dealing with a much worse fate, and a foreign priest trying to convert a nation before religious differences lead it to war. All three stories tangle as the protagonists engage in politics to save a country.
Pam
The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende
The storyline was compelling and spans children characters of World War II up to today's social climate. I enjoyed her writing.
