This contest period's winners were Carol W. from Fullerton, CA; Maureen C. from Anthem, AZ; and Nancy B. from Brookhaven, GA. Each received a copy of SIX DAYS IN BOMBAY by Alka Joshi and STRANGERS IN TIME by David Baldacci.
Rose
The New Neighbor by Karen Cleveland
Serious Arlington Road vibes! In this thriller, CIA agent Beth is tasked with finding "The Neighbor" who is an Iranian intelligence agent. Beth is taken off the case suddenly, but she won't let it go. She hears a clue about a cul-de-sac and also remembers a clue about "use the children". Armed with this information, she begins studying everyone in her old neighborhood, convinced that one of them is the neighbor. As Beth becomes more involved, her obsession takes over. However, the outcome is one I didn't expect.
Rose
The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni
I am a big fan of Robert Dugoni, and I am trying to work my way through all of his novels. THE EIGHTH SISTER is the first in a series featuring Charles Jenkins. Charles agrees to help his old boss by traveling to Russia to find an agent who is targeting "the eighth sister", a group of women spies. What follows is a tale of cat and mouse where the hunted becomes the hunter. I especially liked that Charles is a man with concerns for his family. I also liked that Dugoni named this character after a friend he admires.
Rose
Nothing Serious by Emily J. Smith
2.5 rounded to 3 stars. This book was advertised as having a darkly funny twist. I didn't find it funny. I found it sad and frustrating. Edie is in love with her best friend, Peter, and longs to sleep with him. Peter is wealthy after becoming successful in the tech industry. Edie is feeling stuck in her career, and wants to make it work with Peter. However, although he loves Edie, he says it is a bad idea, and sticks to that. Peter has a date with Anaya who is found dead after their date. Edie can't believe Peter is guilty, so she decides to worm her way into the investigation, befriending Anaya's sister and the investigator. I was not happy with the ending, although it's pretty accurate on how things typically work for the wealthy.
Rose
The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
Julia is a nurse in a maternity ward in Dublin during the 1918 epidemic. Bridie is a young volunteer who is naive, but willing to learn and help. Dr. Kathleen Lynn is willing to try new methods to help the women who are in labor. During three days, the women make decisions about the mothers and their children. It is heartbreaking to read about the methods some doctors used, and their indifference to women, but refreshing to read about people like these three women. Julie's brother, Tim, is also suffering from the trauma of the war. This is an emotional story with some hope. Emma Donoghue is a fantastic writer!
Rose
The Good Detective by John McMahon
This is the start of a new series featuring Georgia Police Det. PT Marsh. He is still mourning the death of his wife and son, killed in a car accident. He knows he lives in a town where race is an issue. His wife was Black, Marsh is White. After the death of his family, he became angry and volatile. Now, a young Black boy has been found dead, hanged. Marsh realizes he may have killed the prime suspect in a fight the previous night. He is tormented as he struggles to prove his innocence. Very realistic.
Rose
The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
Emotionally heartbreaking. This is a beautiful love story of two people who love each other desperately, but can't seem to find their way to each other without sacrificing their dreams. Gabe wants to be a photographer and he goes to war zones to capture what is happening. Lucy (Luce/Lux) is a TV producer, and loves her job creating series for children. They are each other's support, having met in college, and sharing a traumatic memory - being together on 9/11/01 witnessing the twin towers collapse. This cemented their tie to each other. Gabe leaves, Lucy marries Darren, and, Lucy recounts their love story. Beautiful but so sad.
Rose
The Love We Found by Jill Santopolo
After Gabe's death, Lucy and Darren have to come to terms with the fact that their baby is Gabe's and not Darren's. Darren loves the boy as if he is his own and raises him. But, the strain on their marriage is too much. Now Lucy has to rebuild her life and try to find love again. It is now 10 years since Gabe's death, and Lucy is going through Gabe's old things. She finds a drawing which leads her to a young man. Her trip also opens up a new relationship, one that she cautiously approaches. But, how will her children react? A story of moving on.
Rose
The Evil Men Do (Detective P. T. Marsh, #2) by John McMahon
Book 2 in series. PT Marsh is trying to move on from the deaths of his wife and son and starts a relationship with Sarah. But, it isn't easy as he truly can't move forward until he solves the mystery of their deaths. Marsh and Remy, his partner, are investigating the death of real estate tycoon Fultz and his relationship with a woman who isn't his wife. They find that the answer to his death is much more complicated than an ex-wife or his lover out for revenge. While investigating, Marsh's job is in jeopardy. He continues to investigate, and uncovers some clues to his family's deaths. Another well done book in the series.
Pam
There There by Tommy Orange
Heartbreaking novel of various Native Americans seeking to go to a powwow; lots of characters and trials.
Peri
We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes
Someone once told me that she felt an author has one great book. This is definitely not Jojo Moyes great book. This book about a woman who takes in her stepfather and biological father is definitely not hers! It was disjointed. The teenage daughter is struggling, but the main character is distracted by the fighting of the two men.
Charlene
The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers
I’ve always loved reading books about Julia and those written by her. I was curious about her life before becoming the famous chef. Although historical fiction, the author conducted 10 years of research on Julia, the OSS, precursor to the CIA and WW II events in India, Burma, China against the Japanese. Julia’s role was significant. All the characters are well developed. Descriptions of the geography and war events taught me things I didn’t know about this part of American history. This is one of the books I was sorry to reach the end of because it was so enjoyable to read.
Jayme
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T. J. Klune
This was a delightful story about love, acceptance and wonderful, funny fantastical magical beings. It was just what this world-weary heart needed.
Suzanne
Heartwood by Amity Gaige
I enjoyed reading about the Appalachian Trail and how easily a hiker can get lost once veering off the trail. I also enjoyed the character of Lena.
Rose
Such a Lovely Family by Aggie Blum Thompson
With a title like this, you know that the family is anything but lovely. The Calhoun family is ready to host their annual spring party, but life is not perfection behind the scenes. All the adult children are vying for their parents' attention and approval, yet each of them falls short in some way. Their daughter has married poorly, one son is an addict, and the other son has divorced one wife, has a child, and is ready to marry another - and move far away. Each child has secrets, and the parents are not any better. When someone is murdered at the party, each member of the family is a suspect as they all have something to gain. But, the depth of their depravity is something I couldn't fathom. Only 1 or 2 likeable characters in book.
Jeanne
The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia
High technology and AI are keys to the many facets in this story that focuses on newscasters and newsrooms, and also includes manipulative and abusive relationships. So many characters to keep track of, and I love the author’s technique of having not only the main characters but also the many supporting characters explain their involvement in first person. Every time I thought I understood where the story was headed, another surprise was in store for me. I would have given 5 stars to book until the very end; if I had been the editor, I would have put a more positive spin on Stephanie’s and Trent’s last interaction.
Cheryl
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
BROKEN COUNTRY will be on my favorites of 2025 book list. A good marriage, a mystery, and a lost love found.
Wanda
A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins
I loved THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN so was drawn to this book. It is so good! Love the characters, the book draws you in immediately with the beginning page! Intense and fun at the same time, a "who done it" vibe to it. Well written. Totally enjoyed and read in a short time. Would definitely recommend.
Susan
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali
This was a nice story of two teenagers in love but torn apart. However, because this was set in Iran in the 50s, I was hoping there would be more about the political turmoil taking place. I first read the author’s second book, THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN, and enjoyed it more. It provided a better description of the effects of the political situation on the people of Iran.
Michelle
The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis
A little too on-the-surface for me. I didn't think the title and premise actually fit what the story was about enough. It felt like a bit of a bait and switch. And a little too predictable and simply told.
Tonya
Strangers in Time by David Baldacci
Excellent book. Loved the storyline.
Chris
The Elephant of Belfast by S. Kirk Walsh
Coming-of-age story; WWII setting. Wonderful human-animal relationship and characters nicely developed. Would make a great movie!
Carol
Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs
This book is part of the Mercy Thompson series by the great writer Patricia Briggs. If you’ve never read this series, you are missing out. If you love werewolves and vampires and all things dark and mysterious, these books are for you. Patricia Briggs writes tremendously good stories, and these books are so interesting and full of great characters and adventures. Mercy Thompson is the main character of these books and she is relatable and honest and faithful and a heroine for sure. I love these books. I wish they would never end. This is book number 12 of this series and I’m so depressed it’s almost over. Definitely check these out!
MH
The Lotus Shoes by Jane Yang
Little Flower is sold into slavery when she is 6 years old by her mother so that her brother will have a future. Her mistress, Linjing, is also 6. As they grow older, Linjing takes her personal disappointments out on Little Flower, even unbinding her feet because her own were not bound. I didn’t realize the practice of foot-binding continued so late and that there were still women with tiny 4-inch feet into the 20th century!
Carol
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
Where do I begin... The overall tone of this book is so depressing. and it is a big book. That depression doesn’t change throughout the whole story. Yes, it’s a family drama which was boring. These characters are one dimensional and are not developed throughout the whole story. For instance, we have a daughter who is supposedly troubled. The only way we know that is that she goes off to college and emulates her father‘s sexual inabilities that he had when he was a teenager. Big deal. That doesn’t tell us anything about her state of mind. This is the same for every single character. In my opinion, all the women are poorly written. The story is rambling and the pacing is terrible. I would not pick this one up.
Nonie
A Map to Paradise by Susan Meissner
I like this era for a Hollywood book because of them take place in the golden era. I have always enjoyed Meissner's writing, and this one is well written also. The main character's maid, a Polish immigrant, has some secrets which add to the mystique of the story. When Melanie's neighbor goes missing, she becomes friends with Elwood's, (the neighbor) sister-in-law and even her maid.
Anne
The Curse of Pietro Houdini by Derek B. Miller
I loved this book because it gave an entirely different perspective on WWII in Italy. A master artist rescues a child and brings him up the mountain to help him preserve the monastery's treasures from the invading Nazis. I found this book to be very interesting, and I couldn’t wait to turn each page! So many WWII books have become clones of each other, but this one was totally unique.
Tessa
The Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by K. J. Charles
This is the second in the Doomsday Books series of Regency romances, but I think it can easily be read as a standalone work. This was quite a fun and steamy romance. The passion between Luke Doomsday and Rufus d’Aumesty, Earl of Oxney, could easily heat the entire drafty manorial compound! Of course, there are several twists and turns in the basic plot to keep one turning pages. But let’s be serious…the best parts are the naughty ones!
Simonne
What You Wish For by Katherine Center
A second chance at love and redemption.
Carol
We Should Not Be Friends by Will Schwalbe
WE SHOULD NOT BE FRIENDS is a touching and sometimes funny memoir about a 40+ year friendship of two men. Meeting in college, Maxey and Will couldn’t have been more different. But, somehow, they became lifelong friends whose friendship lasted through physical separation and good and not so good life events. It is a wonderful example of how one’s life can be enriched by taking a chance on getting to know those who are different than ourselves. I would love to have them as friends!
Gabriel
Herculine by Grace Byron
The horror works best first before the demonic deals the commune members make are revealed, when it’s just the mounting unease. Later when everything goes off the rails and people start dying left and right, demons are running rampant, it feels like too much happening without substance.
Sheree
More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova
I always enjoy the subject matter that the author writes about. This is such a good story about bipolar disorder. I was happy to see that as Maddy's mother came to understand her daughter's diagnosis of bipolar and she came to accept her daughter and emotionally support her.
dorothy
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Loved this book and learned a lot about the octopus! I have recommended to many people and the feedback is that they all liked it as much as I did.
Sandy
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
Such a captivating story and will keep you guessing until the end. I would like to read it again someday.
Erin
When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi
I listened to this audiobook (narrated by an excellent Wil Wheaton) while spring cleaning, and it was somehow perfectly attuned to the strangeness, absurdity and atmosphere of dire calamity that characterize our world today. To be clear, it's about what would happen if the moon suddenly and inexplicably turned into cheese. Events are seen through the eyes of characters from all walks of life, in vignettes ranging from the silly to the truly poignant.
Diane
The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose
I liked this one a lot, mostly for the maid's backstory - the mystery bit seemed to be just an aside.
Rosa
Penitence by Kristin Koval
I had just watched the series "Adolescence" on Netflix when I began reading this book. There are similar plotlines - a young boy or girl murders another young person. This book is an impressive debut by the author. David and Angie are the parents of Nico and Nora, and Nora has just been arrested for murdering her brother. The story is intricate and sucked me in from the beginning. There are themes here of guilt and redemption, family loyalty, and so much more. Excellent book for book club discussion!
Anne
The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons
Captivating and memorable historical novel that is beautifully written with vivid descriptions of the locale, and the era which it captures perfectly.
Karen
Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung
I received this novel as an Advanced Reader Copy. It is a historical novel by Eve J. Chung, which follows a Chinese mother and her three daughters, abandoned by their wealthy family during the Communist Revolution in China, as they endure a harrowing journey to reunite with the father and escape the chaos.
Nona
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus
I enjoyed this book. Found it quite intriguing!
Elizabeth
Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity by Peter Attia, MD
This book was too long and too technical for the lay reader. The author is a doctor who believes that medicine waits too long to intervene in health issues that result in what he calls the four Horsemen: heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's. He suggests medical interventions that most doctors won't prescribe or insurance won't pay for. The late chapters about what you can do to try to live a healthy life into old age are better, but a lot of what he says has been written about in other places.
Sandra
The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes
I liked the mystery mixed in with the historical events.
Theresa
Truth Worth Telling by Scott Pelley
Candid stories from a reporter with integrity.
Jean
The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
This book is our intro to unconventional defense attorney Mickey Haller who practices from a car instead of an office. Normally his clients are the low rent-type who are guilty. Now he has a big money client whose situation could change his future.
Lynda
Sensible Shoes by Sharon Garlough Brown
This was the perfect book for me to read during Lent. It tells the stories of four women with different reasons for joining a spiritual development retreat. I got to intimately know the characters and each one's struggles as she progresses (or not) through her own personal spiritual journey. My faith has strengthened as a result.
Bliss
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
Good character development. Obviously a lot of research by the author went into this novel. I enjoyed reading about WWII in Italy through the eyes of a young boy.
Teresa
The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin
I rarely award five stars to anything, but this book is outstanding. The author’s trip from soccer mom to addicted thief is so compelling, I read it in fewer than 24 hours.
Christina
Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe
This was another enjoyable read from Mary Alice Monroe. If you like stories with strong female characters, stories about the Low Country or are a fan of this author, you will find this another pleasing book. I have read a number of books from this author, and I was thoroughly engaged throughout this novel. The only disappointment was that we will have to wait for the next book in this series to see how this story plays out!
Christina
Summer of Sunsets by J. Colette Smith
This was a sweet romance novel for those who are fond of small town romances as well as those who like foodie-based plots. This novel follows a chef who lost her job in California and follows her back to her hometown. The novel depicts her struggle between wanting to leave to another big city or following her heart and take a chance on a blossoming new love. This is my first book by this author and I will definitely read another. I am very excited to learn that there will be a sequel to this novel so readers will be able to return to Falls Hollow and visit with the characters from this book. There were also a few surprises that kept me interested throughout the book.
Thank you to Netgalley, Indie Girl Press and J. Collette Smith.
Christina
The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
This was a sequel to a novel written in 2017 by this author. I gave this book three stars and not higher because I thought some of the decisions made by the main character were somewhat unrealistic and I found myself a little annoyed with her.
Christina
Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery
Enjoyable read just in time for summer. I thought this book has a good story with multiple characters.
Christina
This is a Love Story by Jessica Soffer
This book fell flat for me and I struggled to finish it. I did because it was an interesting story, but the way it was written was so hard to get through for me.
Christina
The Women on Platform Two by Laura Anthony
Thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction book. I was not knowledgeable about this time period in Irish history and found it very interesting.
aida
The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros
Great book. Hard to put down.
aida
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Interesting take on murder club.
Beth
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
I need to write this review well enough that it convinces you to read ONCE THERE WERE WOLVES. You really do want to. I read quite often, but I haven't read such a good book in at least a year, maybe five years. This book has already been summarized so often, I only say that Inti (female) leads a team to reintroduce wolves into the Highlands in Scottland. Of course they deal with resistance. Eventually, it does appear that a wolf has killed two people. Two other characters who play major roles are Inti's psychologically-troubled twin sister, Aggie, and Dunkin, the chief of police. Turns out, the book is not only about wolves. There are also mysteries about what happened to Aggie and whether Dunkin or a wolf killed a man.
Lisa
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
Wow, what a book! A dark, twisty mystery featuring an isolated island off the Scottish coast. Grady is a struggling author and finally writes his best book. He’s on the phone with his wife, Abby, when she stops short and gets out of her car. She sees a person lying in the road and that is the last time Grady hears from her.
Rose
The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue
3.5 rounded to 4 stars. I had never heard of this train disaster, and the way this novel told the story was intriguing. It is the story of many passengers riding the Paris Express, as well as the train staff. Each person has a story. There is a pregnant woman about to give birth, a young girl angry at the class differences in the world, legislators with secrets, family members, and an older, wise woman. As the train races to Paris, needing to make up time, it becomes clear that the young girl plans to cause havoc. Someone recognizes this and tries to stop it. But, the unthinkable happens. This is based on an actual event. Not my favorite Donoghue novel, but an interesting story and a quick read.
Rose
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
I typically enjoy Davis's novels, learning about historical events in famous places in NY. THE STOLEN QUEEN takes place in the Met and also in Egypt. It is told in dual timelines and features Charlotte, an archaeologist - now associate curator of Egyptian Art, and Annie, a young woman who wants a career in fashion. They meet in 1978, and Annie finds out about Charlotte's heartache. She lost her husband and daughter in a boating accident, and she believes she has been cursed by an Egyptian queen, Hathorkare. I remember the fascination when the King Tut artifacts were on display, so some of this novel took me back to that time. However, I thought the story was a bit far-fetched and tied up too neatly.
Jeanne
Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery
BEACH VIBES by Susan Mallery is a well-written story that intertwines family, love, secrets and gut-wrenching emotions in a complex, yet heartwarming way. Have your box of Kleenex handy because your emotions will be topsy-turvy in a myriad of emotions as tears roll down your face and you feel as though you are on a roller coaster with the characters who were likable and relatable. It was an unputdownable book from page one to the very last page.
Anita
Blood & Sugar by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
This historical novel takes place in England in the 18th century. Captain Harry Corsham is visited by his friend Tad Archer's sister indicating that he has told her someone is trying to kill him, and now he is missing. Tad is an abolitionist and he wants to abolish slavery. He had mentioned that he was about to expose a secret regarding the British Slaving industry. She asks Harry's help in trying to find him. This was an excellent book that was hard to put down. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Shepherd-Robinson's books.
Lynn
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
Another hit for me from James McBride. I really enjoyed reading this one. There are multiple storylines and multiple characters, all blended into one main story with plenty of emotions to be felt. I will admit, I was surprised at the “N word” being used freely within such a newer book. However, it was correct usage for the time it takes place and the author is a person of color so he is absolutely free to use it in his writing. It just made me uncomfortable initially.
Amy
Memorial Days: A Memoir by Geraldine Brooks
The audio version of this novel is wonderful. It’s narrated by the author, who discusses her experience with grieving over the death of her husband.
S
Isola by Allegra Goodman
I liked how the women supported each other. They knew they needed to stick together to survive. The guardian was a despicable character - he did not have any worthwhile qualities. I would recommend the book.
Kate
The Myth of American Idealism by Noam Chomsky and Nathan J. Robinson
Very informative.
Dianne
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Historical mystery set in the 18th century. Great character development and plenty of issues to discuss including treatment of women in the 1700s.
Denise
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
A story of everyday life leading up to Christmas in a little town in Ireland. It's told by a kind and good family man that has a coal business. While out delivering to the convent, he sees a young girl on the property scantily dressed and left in the cold. After that delivery, the experience haunts him and he questions his own upbringing by a single unwed mother. How fortunate he was to be taken in and raised by people who cared and provided for him. He pieces together his thoughts and realizes there are others with similar hardships that weren't and aren't as fortunate as he was and makes a decision that he knows could have consequences. A reflective read about doing the right thing when you're needed.
Joanne
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
I am reading this again. The last time I read it was in high school and since I am not skipping as I did previously, this is such a great book!! So filled with details that I skipped last time. It makes some of the stuff I have read recently seem so light weight!!
Sally
The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen
Great thriller.
Jeanne
The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose
Everyone’s favorite maid, Molly, returns a final time with a story from the past her grandmother shares, and the theft of a priceless Faberge egg given to Molly that drives the present. Prost’s novel is everything the reader looks for: unforgettable characters, problems at the hotel she serves, and the warmth and caring of special people.
Mary
The Block Party by Jamie Day
Couldn’t put it down!
Michelle
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson
The concept of a time traveler who can only visit worlds she's already died in is fascinating to me.
Dianne
By Its Cover by Donna Leon
Revisit Commissario Brunetti's Venice where valuable antique books have been stolen or defaced. Once again Brunetti solves the crime. Another gem in this series.
Jana
Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valedez
Loved this book and love this author.
Norene
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
Boring at times.
Ivy
Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine
Junie is strong, brave and a gifted reader, something that could get an enslaved teenager killed in antebellum Alabama. Powerfully written, Junie's plight and the spirit that urges her own is one of amazing fortitude during a time when such a belief is unfathomable.
Janet
The World’s Fair Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini
The newest book in the Elm Creek Quilts series. This one alternates between the current time period and the 1930s when Sylvia and her sister were young and entered their quilts in the 1933 World’s Fair contest. Wonderful writing, somewhat predictable, but it’s like visiting your favorite friends.
Whitney
The Sirens by Emilia Hart
This book was intriguing and very different. Not sure it was the best on Audible. I did enjoy the fantastic elements of the story that came to life more at the end. And the characters connectivity was a surprise. It was quite an escape and an easy-paced novel.
Brumby
Blood Moon by Sandra Brown
I may look sleepy but trust us, this book kept us up reading all night long. We love a thriller and this delightful tale of a cold case, a corrupt police department, the small town rugged cop, and a NYC true crime producer, was amazing. We won this book in a Bookreporter.com First Reads giveaway. We are so glad we did. We read it in 24 hours and were consumed with this story the whole time. (Kinda cool we had a Pink Moon last night, too.)
Elizabeth
The Chain by Adrian McKinty
Loved this book. A child is kidnapped and to get them released the mom has to kidnap another child. When the mom kidnaps another child, the kidnapper's child is released. It's a chain. I could not put this down until I finished it. A very different concept for a thriller. Highly recommended.
Sally
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Loved the setting on an old estate in the NY Adirondacks. The characters were very well developed as we lived a summer camp season and flashbacks to a previous summer. The story revolves around the owners of the camp, their family, and the current summer camp staff and campers.
Marcia
The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry
Love her books. Great characters and writing.
Marcia
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
Unusual story, several characters to keep track of, a bit of whimsy and magic.
Robin
Rabbit Moon by Jennifer Haigh
Straight forward story of family dynamics, divorce, foreign adoption, and a twist. It was slightly sad but not overwhelmingly. I appreciated it wasn't overly graphic, that I could use my own imagination.
Judy
Close Your Eyes by Teresa Driscall
Very exciting, lots of twists and turns.
Marcie
The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marla Molnar
It is novel about Johanna Bonger, Vincent Van Gogh's sister-in-law. She is determined to make her brother-in-law's paintings get the credit they deserve after his death and the death of her husband, Thomas.
Lee
Havoc by Christopher Bollen
Okay thriller. Would make a fantastic movie.
Karla
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
A beautifully-written novel.
Maureen
The Party by Natasha Preston
A party at a mansion goes horribly wrong. Locked room thriller with teens that all have secrets. Loved the setting.
Sharon
Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill
The author was Mrs. Kennedy's secret service agent while she was in the White House. She trusted him. He wrote about all the places she visited while on vacation. So much more than the press knew. It was a very interesting book.
Pattie
The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner
I absolutely loved the writing. Usually I fly through books, but this one I slowly savored.
Wanda
A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins
Excellent style of writing, keeps the reader on your toes, perfectly switching from character to character in different time lines. Story is about love, loss, searching for answers and finding truth. Loved this book and its true meaning.
Chris
Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan
Great historical fiction.
Susan
The Art of Keeping Secrets by Patti Callahan Henry
This was a very interesting story of how a tragedy and well-kept secret from the past affects and unites two women. The secret has an echo effect, not only on the two women but also their family and long-time friends. This is the first book I've read by this author but I plan on reading more.
Abby
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
A treasure of a book. Although much of the book revolves around death and grief, it is also hopeful. Clover grows a lot during the course of the book and you are rooting for her all the way. Definitely recommend.
Michelle
Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas
TRUE GRIT meets THIS TENDER LAND. Wow! An immersive coming-of-age story set in mid 19th century America, with characters you can root for from start to finish.
Barbara
The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr
Very good WWII historical fiction. Even If you've read a lot of WWII books, don't miss this one. Very strong female characters and lots of action. Great for a book group.
Barbara
We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida
Heartwarming with a great dose of magical realism. It's a must for cat people.
Barbara
Fly Girl: A Memoir by Ann Hood
Very fun memoir about the glory and glamour days of air travel. Ann recounts her years as a flight attendant for TWA. Lots of great tidbits. It brought back wonderful memories of all of my business travel.
Elizabeth
Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
Once again, Anne Tyler does not disappoint! A story told over three days about a woman whose daughter is getting married. A quick read, but a story well told.
Akhshaya
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Abike-Iyimide
Great book but felt slow at times. Felt like a mix of mystery and literary fiction (which don't always go together). There are heavy topics though so read the trigger warnings first. 5 stars for the story, 4 stars for the writing style.
Sherry
Falling by T. J. Newman
Excellent thriller that I couldn't put down. Almost felt that I was on the airplane that was under threat. Good interplay between chapters set on the plane and on the ground.
Nonie
The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry
A multi-layered story. The story is rich with mystery, whimsy, family, and love. The author has a way with words. I usually love her stories, but for me it had a slow start and also the middle got a little slow moving. I always enjoy books by this author.
Rose
Love and Other Paradoxes by Catriona Silvey
I wanted to love this book because I loved MEET ME IN ANOTHER LIFE, but this one fell short for me. Cambridge student Joe Greene dreams of being a famous poet, but doesn't think it will happen. Then, he meets a time traveling group from the future with Vera, the leader, and Esi who tells Joe he is revered as much as Shakespeare is lauded. She also has a book, Meant to Be, which details Joe's muse and love of his life. Esi also has a motive for being in the past (2005). She is trying to keep her mother from a tragic result. As Joe chases after Diana, his supposed muse, he is finding out that everything happening in the present isn't what is written in the book that Esi has. Time travel romance, but it lacked the charm of the previous book.
Susann
James by Percival Everett
Thought-provoking and great for book club discussion.
Rose
City of Night Birds by Juhea Kim
Natalia and Sasha are ballet dancers and lovers. Dmitri is another dancer, and Natalia abhors him. But, now Dmitri offers Natalia another chance to dance her signature role and return to the stage. She hesitates as she recalls why she left dancing and the impact Dmitri has had on her life. It also covers her search for her father. This is a beautifully-written story, which is also heartbreaking. An interesting look at the world of ballet dancing and Russian dancers.
Rose
The Girls We Sent Away by Meagan Church
3.5 stars. In 1960s NC, Lorraine is a star student with dreams of being her class valedictorian and becoming an astronaut and going to the moon. This is derailed when her boyfriend, Clint, before heading to college, decides it is time to have sex with her. She doesn't push him away. Later, she realizes she is pregnant. Her parents are ashamed and send Lorraine to a maternity home, hiding her pregnancy from their friends. Lorraine has to decide what is best for her moving forward. Will she be able to realize her dreams if she has a baby, or must she give up her baby to realize her dreams? This book made me angry as I recalled the days when women, not men, were shamed for having babies out of wedlock. (Still happens.)
Rose
The Weekend Guests by Liza North
Aline invites several old friends to join her husband, Brandon, and their family to a weekend retreat at their newly renovated home on the Jurassic Coast. The group knew each other from college and had a very odd neighbor, Darryl, that had an obsession with his "friends" and his advisor. When the group didn't include him, Darryl follows them. The group is hiding a tragedy that has affected their lives. Now, they are getting threatening postcards about the secret and they aren't sure who is sending them. I easily figured out who it was. The story wasn't as suspenseful as I would have liked, but it was okay.
Rose
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
Clay loses his job in Silicon Valley. As he wanders the streets of San Francisco, he enters a bookstore and requests a job. But, the store is strange. You can't buy the books. Clay, with the help of others, finds out that Mr. Penumbra, and others, believe that the store holds a key to something very important. Along with his friends, Clay is determined to break the code. A bit of spying, a bit of fantasy, this book is for adventurers.
Luella
Cry for Me, Argentina by Tamara Yajia
Amusing and kind of sad all at once. Written in a way it feels she is sitting with you telling the stories to you. It was a good book.
Jayme
Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey
I have rarely read a book where I cared for all the characters and at the same time was furious with some of their destructive choices that left me crying and shaking my head. Set against the backdrop of the wildness of the Alaskan landscape, Ivey shows us the fragility of trust and the heartbreak of acceptance. I will read whatever Eowyn Ivey writes.
Sean
Cross by James Patterson
James Patterson's flagship series continues here as Alex Cross experiences a career change (kind of) and deals with the worst moment of his life (his wife's murder). The book is exactly what you expect from this series and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Cross is likeable but sickeningly sweet at times. The killer here is disturbingly sick and a real threat, but there was too much coincidence and some odd character choices. I have always liked the fact that Cross's wife's death was always committed by nameless gang violence as it seemed real. That changes here (not a spoiler, it's on the cover) and it's handled well, especially the ending, but it was better left alone. Overall, a solid thriller with a twisted killer.
Brian
Camino Ghosts by John Grisham
The most gripping and thought-provoking book I have read this year.
Francisca
In the Land of Second Chances by George Shaffner
In Ebb, Nebraska, life is slow and people are nice. That’s the way they like to live. Wilma Porter runs the Come Again Bed-and-Breakfast, and her newest guest, Vernon Moore, is about to change Ebb in ways no one expected. I was completely charmed by the residents of Ebb, and by the mysterious Vern Moore. This little book made me think while it entertained me. It’s a wonderful fable about hope and faith and community.
Barbara-Ann
Thorn Tree by Max Ludington
Most members in my book club enjoyed this book.
Rose
The Float Test by Lynn Steger Strong
This is a story of the Kenner siblings, sisters Jude and Fred, and brother George. After their mother dies, the siblings struggle to find themselves and a peace within the family. I found it to be slow and plodding. I wasn't a fan.
Rose
Then She Vanishes by Claire Douglas
Jess is a journalist and is assigned to cover a story of a double murder and self-inflicted gun wound on the suspected killer. Heather is suspected of the murders and is now in the hospital. Heather was Jess's best friend when they were young teens. Heather's sister, Flora, went missing when she was 16, and Jess has a secret about that. Heather has killed before, but did she kill again? Margot, Heather's mother, begrudgingly allows Jess access to Heather to tell the story.
This will keep you guessing until the end.
Rose
Funny Feelings by Tarah Dewitt
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. Cute romance about a crass comedienne who falls for her manager. Farley tells off-color, raunchy jokes. Her manager, Meyer, was a comic, but he left the stage to care for his deaf daughter, Hazel. Farley knows she is falling in love with Meyer but is not sure of his feelings. Farley adores Hazel as well. Together, they work through their feelings and realize they need each other. Cute, funny at times. Steamy scenes.
Donna
Saint of the Narrows Street by William Boyle
This book played out like a movie in my mind reading all 430 pages in a mere 2 1/2 days. It’s like a train wreck, yet you cannot look away. This family/crime story has the perfect setting, blue collar Brooklyn, 1986, and richly drawn characters who spend their entire lives trying to free themselves from the fear and guilt of a tragedy. I cannot recommend it highly enough, especially for fans of crime stories.
Christina
Animal Instinct by Amy Shearn
I found this book really tough to get through. It felt like main character was so whiny and was just looking to have one night stands- just not my type of book. It was also set in the pandemic so maybe I also just had a negative connection with the book.
Christina
Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley
If you love to hear about music from the 1990s and 2000s than you may like this book. I found that that the story got lost with too much discussion of music and music writing. There was a good story about the relationship of three friends that developed in college, but I struggled to finish this book.
Kim
Next of Kin by Samantha Jayne Allen
A slow-paced pseudo thriller focused on a small town sleuth and one of her cases. Annie is hired to find the biological parents of a clients/acquaintance when she unexpectedly find herself in a deep, dark world of drug dealers, murder, lies and danger. It’s amazing how this young sleuth finds herself in such a situation.
Beth
All the Broken Places by John Boyne
No surprise, ALL THE BROKEN PLACES is an outstanding novel from John Boyne. This book is another example of why he is one of my go-to authors. Plus, although this is a standalone novel, if you read Boyne's THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS, you should notice and may like meeting again some characters the two books have in common. This is Gretel's story. She is 91 years old. She tells of her life in a luxury "flat" in 2022 London with her neighbors: Heidi across the hall, and Alex and Madelyn and their little boy Henry downstairs. Every other chapter Gretel tells of her past.
Kathy
Prequel by Rachel Maddow
Prescient view of the direction our country is headed in with the current administration. Well researched. Will we learn from history?
Wanda
The Return by Nicholas Sparks
A loving novel of love and hope. A man return's home to his grandfather’s bee farm and finds love in this warm story. A sit down and read love story that makes you feel good.
Jean
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Translated from Japanese, a very original story and a series of books. I am now on Book 2. This first book was absolutely wonderful and set the stage for those to follow, sitting in a chair in a coffee café and the ability to go back in time, but you have to follow the rules.
Pam
There There by Tommy Orange
Intergenerational trauma unfolds among several different people all trying to get to a powwow. Family situations abound in this moving and often heartbreaking novel.
Robin
The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian
This wonderful novel is set during the Civil War in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The conflict comes close to home when a seriously wounded Yankee captain is left to die at an abandoned Confederate home. His discovery sets in motion a series of impactful ethical and moral choices for the family that found him. Based on a real event, it is a story of survival, character, and the bonds that unite us, despite politics and the strong opinions of others. The characters were well-developed and I felt empathy for the difficult and courageous choices they were forced to make, often at great danger to themselves.
Pauline
Going Home by Tom Lamont
Teo Erskine has moved on with his life and goes home to see his childhood friends often. While home, he ends up with a toddler boy to look after. He and his friend Ben have to grow up in order to deal with their new lives.
Jayme
The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel
The fascinating account of Stephane Breitwieser who, over the span of 10 years, stole more than 1 billion dollars' worth of art and kept it all in his bedroom to love and admire.
Beverly
Leave No Trace and Cold Burn by A. J. Landau
Two thrillers set in our national parks kept me turning those pages. Very inventive plots.
Gerry
Penitence by Kristin Koval
A nice mix of character-driven and plot driven, with excellent writing throughout. The storyline was different than I'd anticipated, but still quite engaging. The book opens with David knocking on the door of an attorney's home, begging her to take on the defense of his thirteen-year-old daughter Nora, who has just been arrested after she called 911 and stated that she killed her fourteen-year-old brother Nico. It happens that this attorney is the mother of David's wife's long-time boyfriend before her marriage to David, and that old relationship plays an important role in the plot. This could be an interesting book to discuss, as there's a lot to consider about each of the characters' motivations and actions.
Gerry
The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin
Set primarily in Nottingham, England during WWII, THE BOOKLOVER'S LIBRARY tells the story of a young widow and her daughter who must find creative ways to survive and thrive during wartime. Married women, and especially women with children, were generally banned from the workforce in the 1940s, and Emma found herself struggling to get by as the small inheritance left by her husband slowly dwindles. She finally persuades the manager of a lending library to hire her, on condition that she keep her marital status a secret and pretend that her daughter is her younger sister. As the threat to England is heightened, she must make the painful decision to send her daughter to the country to live with a stranger.
Susan
Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore
I liked the book and the characters. How chasing your dream is important but also being willing to change paths if needed. The family secrets were devastating, but overcoming them was important to family and personal survival.
Gerry
Odder by Katherine Applegate
3-1/2 stars for a sweet and educational story based on real otters and actual events that took place at the Monterey Bay (CA) Aquarium, where stranded or orphaned baby otters have been paired with surrogate mother otters in order to teach them the skills they need to survive and thrive in the wild. Written in free verse, and accompanied by beautiful illustrations, ODDER tells the story of a young sea otter who gets separated from her mother in a storm, and is rescued and rehabilitated at the aquarium. After being released back into the wild, Odder's curiosity outweighs her caution, and she repeatedly swims too close to kayakers and fishermen, until she eventually encounters a shark and is badly injured, but rescued by aquarium staff.
Gerry
Things We Lost to the Water by Eric Nguyen
I came very close to abandoning this one, as after the first few (good) chapters of this novel about a Vietnamese woman and her two sons who emigrated to the U.S., it just fell apart for me. Interesting to see the two boys grow up and move in very different directions, but the overall story just felt flat to me. And ending it with the impact of Hurricane Katrina didn't help.
Gerry
The Age of Choice: A History of Freedom in Modern Life by Sophia Rosenfeld
I downloaded the audiobook the day after I saw the author interviewed at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Listening to her in person, I was fascinated by her comments and wanted the interview to go on well beyond the allotted hour. Unfortunately, the book proved to be less engaging than the interview, and while I finished it, I can't say I really enjoyed it. For one thing, I'm disappointed that the reader of this female-authored book is male. For another, the writing was a bit dry and pedantic. One thing I did find very interesting was Rosenfeld's discussion of "commonplace books," a completely unfamiliar concept to me. A commonplace book is a notebook used to collect information, such as quotes, ideas, or passages from books.
Gerry
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
4.5 stars for McConaghy's latest climate fiction, this time set on Shearwater, a small (fictional) island between Australia and Antarctica. As fierce storms and rising waves imperil the island where the Salt family lives as caretakers, a woman washes ashore. When she regains consciousness, she tells the Salts she has come to the island to find her husband, who was the leader of a research group that had been working on the island. She learns that the researchers have departed, and that another ship is expected soon to take the Salt family and the remaining research specimens off the island. The characters in this novel are well developed and complex, and the plot is spooled out at a good pace, revealing backstories and new mysteries.
Gerry
Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey
Fantasy and magical realism are not genres I'm typically drawn to, but I read this one for a challenge, and thoroughly enjoyed it. A retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" set in the Alaskan wilderness, it's the story of Arthur, who was found roaming the woods and wearing a bearskin as a feral young boy, raised by Carol and Warren, and now an adult who comes and goes from their home but mostly prefers to live by himself in a cottage in the woods. It's also the story of Birdie, a young single mother with a wild streak, who's tired of being criticized for her drinking and what some would say is her careless parenting style. And finally, it's the story of Birdie's six-year-old daughter Emaleen and the adventures she and her mother shared.
Wendy
The Love Haters by Katherine Center
Any review I write will not come close to the author's note about this story. Katherine Center talks about why we benefit from reading romances with happy endings, why we bond with certain characters, and why we need to stop the self-loathing and love ourselves, faults and all. Yes, this story has a unique magic, as the author says, and is so not real life, but we can still involve ourselves in their lives as they struggle with the things we all struggle with. 'It's healing to read stories about healing, it's nourishing to read stories about people finding nourishment' and so on and so on. The narrator for this story is perfect for the part of Katie.
Gerry
The Bitter Side of Sweet by Tara Sullivan
This YA novel focuses on the horrors of child enslavement that is used to bring much of the world's chocolate to market. It's the story of two young brothers who left their village in Mali seeking work when the area's farms were plagued by drought. Trusting the bus driver who promised to take them to a farm in Cote d'Ivoire where they could work for a season for good pay, they soon found themselves sold into slavery on a cacao plantation where they worked from dawn to dusk under brutal conditions, were beaten severely whenever they failed to meet an unspecified "quota", were fed meagerly, and were locked up each night in a communal sleeping shed, only to repeat it all the next day, for over two years.
Wendy
Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay
Having myself had multiple visits to private colleges for parent’s weekend, I was intrigued. Right from the beginning when five students do not show up for dinner with their parents, I decided to suspend reality and just enjoy the suspense and mystery of what exactly happened. As the chapters alternate between the families and you learn more about the students through their families, Alex Finlay draws you in to their lives and relationships. This twisty suspense thriller kept my interest and was a quick read. Did I already mention that you need to suspend reality? I would like to see the author write another story that includes FBI agent Sarah Keller and her family.
Wendy
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Fredrik Backman creates characters that are so real and so flawed, and you can’t help but get emotionally involved in their lives. This story of four high school misfits who find hope and friendship in their support of one another are the center of this novel. Their bond is so powerful, they have profound effects on other peoples' lives. The story is told from two of the friends in their forties, who meet a teenager, Louisa, whose had a rough life. When one of the friends sees in her what they had as teens, the gift of a painting leads to an unlikely friendship, and we hear about that special summer when the four friends were fifteen. Fans of Backman’s writing will not be disappointed.
Gerry
Camino Island by John Grisham
3-1/2 stars for a fun mystery involving the theft of valuable F. Scott Fitzgerald manuscripts from Princeton University's Firestone Library. I chose it for a challenge prompt ("takes place in the state in which you live"), but decided not enough of it was set in NJ. But I enjoyed it enough to continue with the next two books in the trilogy, which will satisfy other prompts.
Gerry
We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled: Voices From Syria by Wendy Pearlman
This was an extremely difficult book to read, and I found I could only read it in short bursts before I had to put it down, take a break. Based on interviews the author conducted with displaced Syrians between 2012 and 2016, it tells the story of the Syrian revolution in the voices of 87 interviewees. Much of the narrative includes descriptions of brutal torture in prisons and of horrific war zones where residents experiences bombings and chemical warfare. The book closes in 2016, well before Bashar al-Assad was finally deposed and he fled to Russia, but the story for Syrians has not ended; they still await some resolution that may bring stability to the homeland that most will never see again.
Luella
The Frequency of Living Things by Nick Fuller Googins
Family dramas - somethings most of us can relate to. The good and the bad and how much we need each other until we don't. So well written.
Gerry
The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing by Lara Love Hardin
I picked this book up because it was selected for my in-person book club. I knew nothing about the book or the author prior to reading it, but quickly learned that Hardin is an excellent writer, and that I'd actually read her writing once before, as she was the co-writer of THE SUN DOES SHINE, the story of Anthony Ray Hinton's release from death row after thirty years of incarceration for a crime he did not commit, and which I also rated five stars. This memoir provides an eye-opening look at our so-called justice system and how differently it treats people depending on their financial and social status (as if the last few years hadn't already made that extremely clear), as well as the barriers it puts up that too often prevent real rehab.
Gerry
Rednecks by Taylor Brown
REDNECKS is an historical drama based on the Battle of Blair Mountain in West Virginia, pitting a multi-ethnic army of 10,000 coal miners against mine owners, state militia, and the United States government in the largest labor uprising in American history. The novel was peopled by many interesting characters, including Mother Jones who first encouraged the miners and then later, when their fight appeared doomed by the threat of army intervention, tried unsuccessfully to persuade them to back down. One mine owner's comment was quite telling: asked why protective helmets were provided for mules but not for men, he replied "if a man gets injured or killed we can hire a replacement, but if a mule gets injured or killed we have to buy another."
Gerry
The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith
4-1/2 stars for this latest (but not last) installment in the Cormoran Strike series. As always, the detective agency is working multiple cases, but the major case in this novel is an investigation into a cult, the Universal Humanitarian Church. On the surface it's dedicated to making the world better through charitable works, but beneath that façade lurks something much darker and more sinister. Robin Ellacott goes undercover into the church's main compound for four grueling months while Strike and others continue to search for and interview former church members, gradually compiling a dossier of evil that may just bring the church down.
Wendy
The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick
This wonderfully-narrated audiobook talks about how life was in the early 1960s, it reminded me of the television show "Leave it to Beaver". This story takes place in a DC suburb, 4 women, neighbors, decide to form a book club. When they read Betty Friedan’s book, THE FEMININE MYSTIQUE, they all want more out of life aside from being a wife and mother. I love hearing them talk about ordering pantyhose for the first time from the Sear’s catalogue. This is the time period when many of us, myself included, helped glue green stamps into books for prizes and we had a milkman deliver dairy. It was also a time period when fur coats were status symbols, you could rent a typewriter for $7 a month, wives were getting an allowance from their husbands.
Gerry
The Library of Legends by Janie Chang
3-1/2 stars. I enjoyed this story of university students during the 1937 Japanese invasion of China. Universities near the east coast were required to evacuate further inland, in part because the Chinese government viewed the students as a valuable resource for China's future. Interwoven in the story of the students' difficult journey was an ancient legend about The Willow Star and the Prince, in which an immortal (the star) who was separated from the Prince she loved must follow him through his many rebirths. I was happy that the novel described only briefly the horrors of war, and focused more on the main characters and their lives and families.
Cheryl
The Women on Platform Two by Laura Anthony
1969 Dublin, Ireland. Birth Control is illegal, and the women of Ireland are suffering. Birth control was legal a few miles away in Northern Ireland, and a few brave women formed a group and headed up north to buy it. This book hit home for me. In 1975, I had an Irish neighbor who went 'back home' a few times a year. Her suitcase had a false compartment where she could store boxes of condoms for her sisters. Single women were still denied birth control.
Gerry
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
Alix Summers is a podcaster, and also a married woman who's feeling some sense of stagnation in her marriage. She and her husband are out celebrating her 45th birthday when Josie, another birthday celebrant, comes over to their table, reporting excitedly that she, too, is celebrating her 45th. They're birthday twins, she announces, born the same day and the same year. Soon Alix is running into Josie around town, at her children's school, even outside her own home, and before long, Josie has wheedled her way into Alix's life and even into her home. Josie's stories describe a life of hardship and trauma, but as the title says, none of this is true...so what's her ruse about? And what's the purpose behind her befriending Alix?
Sue
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
What a wonderful book! The fact that I cried at the end tells me I was thoroughly immersed in the story of this 17-year-old girl and 83-year-old woman in a hospital. Lenni finds a family of friends in the hospital as she is treated for a terminal illness and Margot shares the story of her life and the loves she experienced. The two of them share their stories through 100 pieces of artwork, celebrating the combined years they have lived.
Peri
Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean
I hadn’t realized that this was a young adult book until after I had finished reading it. It was recommended on Hoopla. I needed a book to listen to while I walked the dog. To me it seemed too juvenile for any teenager. It is about a young woman who finds out that her single mom had an affair in college with a Japanese prince. The young woman goes to Japan to connect with her father.
Gerry
Casualties of Truth by Lauren Francis-Sharma
A literary novel with the sharp edges of a thriller about the abuses of history and the costs of revenge, set between Washington, D.C. and Johannesburg, South Africa. I picked this one up from my library after seeing the author at The Free Library of Philadelphia. It's very different from anything I've read, and gave me a perspective on South African Apartheid that I hadn't had before. It's not a book for the faint of heart, as it includes some brutal testimony from the 1996 Truth and Reconciliation Hearings, as well as detailed descriptions of assaults. But it certainly gave me lots to think about regarding the experience of being Black in America, both in the past and in the present.
Gerry
Savannah: Or a Gift for Mr. Lincoln by John Jakes
Although marketed as a novel for adults, the writing in this one seemed more YA to me. I've enjoyed a number of John Jakes' books; this one was interesting but not compelling in telling the story of the siege and ultimate surrender of Savannah to Sherman's Union army in December of 1864.
Gerry
Streets of Laredo by Larry McMurtry
3-1/2 stars for this sequel to LONESOME DOVE. I did not find it as engaging as the first book, and found the emphasis on male aggressiveness and misogyny especially tiresome. I appreciated the main female characters, Maria and Lenora, and found them to be more appealing, but their circumscribed opportunities and chronic poverty was depressing. I can't imagine living as they did, and am grateful I've never had to. The two books in this series are probably the only "westerns" I've read as an adult, and I expect they'll be the last.
Gerry
Camino Winds by John Grisham
A fun mystery involving the owner of a bookstore on Florida's Camino Island. When a category 4 hurricane hits the island, the damage is extensive, and authorities are quick to assume, when a dead body is found, that the man's death resulted from the storm. But Bruce Cable and others are not so sure, and they're determined to press for a thorough investigation of their friend's death.
Gerry
The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki
A fictional biography of Empress Elizabeth "Sisi" Habsburg. This one started off strong but lost steam along the way, with lengthy descriptions of court intrigue and fraught relationships within and around the royal family. The author has also written a sequel, but I didn't find this one engaging enough to continue with the second book.
Gerry
Camino Ghosts by John Grisham
The best of the three in the Camino Island trilogy, CAMINO GHOSTS focuses on a deserted barrier island located between Florida and Georgia. In the sixteenth century, it was populated by a small village of Blacks who had escaped slavery in Georgia and taken refuge in the then-Spanish colony of Florida. Centuries later, a real estate conglomerate has decided to "develop" the island, razing it and building an enormous casino and entertainment complex. One woman stands in their way: the last living descendant of the Dark Island community, who claims ownership of the island and is willing to fight for her rights in court. I found the story completely engaging, but wish it were clearer what elements of the novel (if any) were based in fact.
Gerry
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
Chosen solely to complete a challenge prompt, THE FAVORITES turned out to be a surprisingly interesting and engaging novel set in the world of high-level athletic competition. Katerina and Heath have been friends since childhood and have overcome many obstacles to compete at national and international levels in their sport, ice dancing. The novel follows their trials and tribulations as they attempt to achieve the ultimate: Olympic gold.
Gerry
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
One of the strangest novels I've read, it features three main characters: Constance Blackwood, a 28-year old woman, her 18-year-old sister Mary Katherine aka Merricat, and their elderly uncle Julian. Six years ago, the Blackwood family experienced a tragedy that left the three survivors isolated from their small village. Since that time, Constance has not gone outside the boundaries of the house and garden, and has been caring for Julian, who is wheelchair-bound and in cognitive decline. Merricat is the household's shopper and errand runner, visiting the local village twice weekly to pick up groceries and library books. The family believes the citizens of the village hate and fear them, and it's mutual. Very surprising ending!
Gerry
The Names by Florence Knapp
A "what-if" novel, narrating three possible family stories in parallel timelines, all diverging from the same momentous decision. Cora and Gordon have just welcomed their second child, a baby boy. Each of them has an individual preference for the baby's name, and their 9-year-old daughter Maia has yet another idea she likes. When Cora goes to register the baby's birth and complete his birth certificate, each possible choice will spark a different outcome, in a story that's narrated for the baby boy and his family at seven year intervals. With this fascinating premise and a unique structure, the novel captivated me from the start, and my enthusiasm never waned. My best read in April!!
Gerry
Dear Dotty by Jaclyn Westlake
2-1/2 stars. Rosie is a young woman struggling to launch into her adult life. She’s lost her job, her parents are splitting up, her older brother seems to find her annoying. Her one consolation is her great-aunt Dotty. Dotty encourages her, listens patiently to her, and continues to offer good advice even when Rosie declines to follow it. But when Dotty dies, Rosie is bereft and uncertain where to turn or what to do. The novel follows her over a period of about six months as she adjusts to her status as an independent adult. Not a bad book, just not one of great interest to me.
Gerry
Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events That Created New York and Shaped America by Russell Shorto
Shorto tells the story of Manhattan's founding and growth into the cosmopolitan city we know today. It was no accident, he emphasizes; the Dutch settlers who first established communities on Long Island, on Manhattan Island, and farther north in what is now Albany created communities of tolerance and diversity, with residents who spoke some 18 or more languages, and practiced a variety of religions. The subsequent takeover of these lands by the English were based on negotiations and intentional compromises that fostered a spirit of free trade and required cooperation among various peoples. Generally excluded from these cooperative negotiations, of course, were the Native and African populations. A very worthwhile read.
Gerry
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Searle
A young woman grieving her mother’s death finds herself in turmoil about everything in her life: her job, her marriage, every decision she’s made of needs to make. She and her mother had planned a trip to Positano, and she decides to go on her own, trying to figure out what comes next, and finds advice from an unexpected source. An engaging novel with elements of magical realism.
Gerry
Intimations by Zadie Smith
I've never read any of Smith's fiction, though I did dip into a couple of her books without successfully engaging with them. But her essays in this little book were instantly accessible and interesting. Written during and about the experience of isolation during the early months of the COVID-19 lockdown, they examine the experience of "filling time" when normal schedules and demands have been disrupted, and the impact of isolation on people of different ages and circumstances. It concludes with some short vignettes about her own and others' reactions to the lockdown, how they prepared or didn't, why they left or stayed in NYC (where Smith was then teaching at NYU), her remote interactions with her own mother back in London, and more.
Gerry
The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng
Set in 1921 in Penang, Malaya, THE HOUSE OF DOORS is a historical novel featuring writer William Somerset Maugham during his visit with an old friend and his wife. With flashbacks to incidents some ten years earlier, the narrative describes complicated marriages and relationships, the power of social norms and white supremacy, and the fear of social opprobrium that caused so many individuals to lead secret lives. The use of many Malaysian terms had me checking an online dictionary/translator rather often, and the events described will require some follow-up research to learn more about the people and history of this area.
Gerry
The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez
THE GREAT DIVIDE tells the story of the building of the Panama Canal through the stories of various individuals who worked on the project, either directly or indirectly. Ada from Barbados, Omar from Panama, John and Mary from Tennessee, Pierre from France, and others came together in Panama seeking fortune or fame, or just trying to survive. As usual, American bravado and arrogance are on full display in this novel, as is the brutality that too often accompanied their encounters with the native peoples of the region.
Gerry
The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman
Kellerman is an author I once read eagerly, though it's been quite a few years since I read anything by him. This one was an okay read, set as usual in LA and featuring Alex Delaware, child psychologist, working with his friend Milo Sturgis, homicide detective, to solve a double murder in Bel Air. There was also a short, very under-developed plot line about a teenaged boy Alex was evaluating for the courts, in connection with an unusual custody dispute: neither of the boy's adoptive parents wanted him. I'd probably have ditched this one if it hadn't filled a spot in a challenge I'm looking forward to completing this month.
Gerry
Homeseeking by Karissa Chen
A beautiful novel with a very unusual format: narrated in alternating chapters from the points of view of the two main characters, but with a twist -- Haiwen's story moves back in time from 2008 to 1938, while Suchi's story moves forward in time through the same time periods, from their meeting as young children through their late 70s. It includes an excellent overview of 20th century Chinese history, from the invasion and domination by Japan, through the civil war between nationalists and communists, and the various divisions of important parts of the country that resulted. The settings in China include Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, while portions of the novel also take place in the United States. Loved it!
Gerry
Rain and Other South Sea Stories by W. Somerset Maugham
I downloaded this ebook shortly after reading THE HOUSE OF DOORS, which centered on Maugham’s stay in Penang while recovering from tuberculosis. In that novel, he’s described as gathering information for stories about this area of South Asia, having lost his fortune to a bad investment and finding himself badly in need of funds. I’d hoped that the stories in this collection might show a connection to the events in the novel, but that was not the case. Most were set in Samoa, and one in Honolulu, but nothing in Malaysia. Maugham’s writing in this collection is floridly descriptive and often reflects blatant misogyny and xenophobia that may have been accepted in his day, but was quite off-putting to me.
MH
The Women on Platform Two by Laura Anthony
This book, which I first heard about on this website, was an instant hit with me. I recommended it to my book club. The issue of birth control in Catholic Ireland is especially pertinent in the U.S. today when so many states are banning forms of abortion and inflicting punishment on women who have them. Maura and Bernie help lead the fight for separate reasons. I was also interested to find that Irish women today could get free birth control up to age 32. (I guess no one can get pregnant after that age!)
Dinah
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
I don't normally read sad books. I made an exception for this book. I strive to find and read spy novels with women protagonists, and this book was a good choice. It is well written and easy to keep up with all the characters (seems to be an issue for me). The last three chapters had me worried. I almost didn't read the ending because I tend to want to create my own, but I liked the ending Kristin created, but it left me wanting more. It actually made me able to extend the ending with my own imagination. I will read this book again.
Barbara
Backwater Justice by Fern Michels
Another "Sisterhood" story that Fern is famous for. Always entertaining and a quick read.
Myrna
The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue
I couldn't put this book down once I started it! Ms. Donoghue tells the story of an actual train ride from Normandy to Paris in 1895. Vividly depicted are the various strata of the passengers and the difference in their accommodations on the steam-powered train. The reader gets a glimpse into the lives of the passengers and crew alike. Get ready for a heady ride to the climax!
Laurie
Wellness by Nathan Hill
It was way too verbose. Some parts I loved and others I couldn't wait to be over. This book was a mixed bag. A good editor would have helped.
Lynn
Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah
This book is heavier on the romance side than the mystery side of things, to the point that at times I got frustrated that they weren’t focused on finding out what happened. But I love a good mystery so that’s probably why I was wanting more in that aspect. There is a lot more than just romantic love within this story though. There is the love between sisters that grows to be much stronger as adults than they were as children as well as the love a caregiver will have for a child. If I were to rate it simply on the storyline it would probably be 3 stars, but the emotional attachment to a few of the characters brings it up to a solid 4 stars. I do recommend it.
Cynthia
When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton
This companion novel to Cleeton's NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA gives an engaging view of the time period following Castro's coming to power, including the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Russian Missile Crisis. Seeing these events from the perspective of a Cuban refugee is very interesting, plus some sizzling romance adds to the spice of the novel.
Chris
Harbingers by Timothy J. Heaphy
Nonfiction; valuable insights.
Sandy
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure
Such a captivating story and will keep you guessing until the end. I would like to read it again someday. The ending is not what you would expect.
Karen
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Maine, 1789: The Kennebec River freezes and entombs a man in the ice. Martha Ballard, the town's midwife, examines the body to determine cause of death. She is privy to much of what goes in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth, crime and happening in the close-knit community. Martha documented details of an alleged rape of the preacher's wife committed by two of the town’s most respected gentlemen - one is the man found dead in the ice. Then, when a new local physician undercuts her conclusion, Martha is forced to investigate the shocking murder on her own.
aida
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
Good follow-up book. Interesting twists and turns.
Michelle
Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris
A compelling story about one of the side characters in THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ book, based on a true story. While it wasn’t as gripping in some ways as the first book and took some unexpected turns, the story is powerful. This tells the important stories of women who endured such atrocities as rape in the camps, and even later after liberation for those sent to prison camps in Siberia, like Cilka was. Reading about the real-life story in the Afterward and Epilogue was jarring. Morris did a phenomenal job, especially with balancing all the historical details.
Lynda
Isola by Allegra Goodman
The novel is based on a true event and takes place in the 16th century. It tells the story of a young ward, Marguerite, who is punished by her scheming guardian, Roberval. He sails Marguerite and her lover, Auguste, from France to New France (Canada) where the couple are banished to a small remote island where they are marooned. I enjoyed this tale of adventure, romance and a villain. Marguerite is quite the female hero.
Elizabeth
The Best American Short Stories 2024 by Lauren Groff and Heidi Pitlor
I read this anthology every year and as always there are some stories I like a lot and others not so much. Two of my favorites this year were "Mall of America" by Suzanne Wang about an AI being that bonds with a lonely older man in a mall, with a tragic end and "Privilege" by Jim Shepard, about the Johnstown flood in 1889, which was caused by how some rich steel, coal and railroad magnates constructed a dam for their pleasure, despite engineers' warnings; thousands died and they were never held to account. I had not known/or remembered that tragedy. The story isn't about that backdrop but historical fiction about ordinary people caught up in the flood. Very well done.
Rita
This is Happiness by Niall Williams
Welcome to the rural village of Faha in County Clare, Ireland where the story of the community come to life. Noel "Noe" Crowe has just completed his first year of studying to become a priest. He decides he needs a break so off Noe goes to Faha to spend time with his grandparents Ganga and Doady. Life in Faha is a quiet and filled with everyday people going about their lives. The neighbors in Faha have come to a crossroads in which they must decide whether they need or want to have electricity put in their homes. Around this dilemma you will become drawn into the scenery, music, folk tales told and family and neighbors both young and old. I absolutely loved this book. It could be a slow read, however, I couldn't stop reading it.
Joan
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
My friends liked it more than I did.
Kathleen
28 Summers by Elin Hildebrand
A page-turner. Good character development and filled with humor, pathos, and romance.
Rose
North of Nowhere by Allison Brennan
Kristen and Ryan are on the run with Tony, a man that has protected them for the past 5 years. Now, their father, head of a crime family is on their tail. While running for their lives, their Aunt Ruby, who left the family rather than be involved in crime, is searching for them. So is their rancher friend, Nick, and his son, Jason. To make matters worse, there is a severe winter storm making their escape treacherous. It is a tense thriller, but I wasn't engaged.
Rose
Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea
Sloan Hastings is beginning a two year fellowship in forensic pathology. Her assignment is to research how DNA findings have solved cases. Knowing she was adopted, Sloan is hesitant, but with her adoptive parents on-board she submits her DNA. Shockingly, she finds out that she was the subject of a highly publicized case from nearly 30 years ago. Her wealthy biological parents went missing along with their baby daughter and were never seen again. Now with Sloan's appearance, the case is in the news again. As Sloan meets with her biological family to find answers, the secrets of the past put her in danger. I always enjoy a Charlie Donlea thriller and this did not disappoint.
Nancy
The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr
Fabulous book!!
Marion
Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman by Alan Rickman
Rickman was a talented actor and director who had a long and varied career. He met and befriended dozens of interesting people with whom he conversed, dined, and worked. He also enjoyed just going out for a beer with "the sparks" (electricians) working on a movie set, liking their lack of artistic temperament and good-natured attitudes, or working in his garden, or reading a good book, or relishing tasty food. He was a very funny man and it would have been a pleasure to have had him as a friend.
Margaret
A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny
I love the Three Pines Series.
Nicole
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
I enjoyed this book a lot. I'm a fan of the Hunger Games series so I was really looking forward to this prequel about Haymitch Abernathy. His game was interesting because it involved double the amount of people in the arena. Even knowing only Haymitch would make it out didn't subtract from the emotions during the story. I grew to like the other tributes from 12, and their ends were all gut-wrenching to read, especially Maysilee's who grew to be my favorite. The arena itself was kind of boring compared to the main series, but overall it was a great read that I devoured in a day.
Linda
The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd
Historical fiction (1739) about the indigo trade in SC; our book club just read it and thoroughly enjoyed learning about the indigo crops/dye/production and history. We highly recommend it.
Francisca
The Supreme Macaroni Company by Adriana Trigiani
This is the third installment in the story of the Angelini Shoe Company in Greenwich Village, New York. I really like Trigiani’s books. She features strong heroines with complex backgrounds and conflicted feelings. They almost always end happily, or at least hopefully…even though there is plenty of tragedy involved. (And isn’t life, itself, like that?)
Ruthanne
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
A good story intricately webbed between multiple times periods. With another author this might be confusing, but Kate Morton succeeds brilliantly. I really enjoyed this book.
Rose
Heartwood by Amity Gaige
A woman, Valerie Gillis, gets lost in the Maine woods while hiking the Appalachian Trail. Her husband reports that she didn't show at their meeting spot. He becomes a suspect. Lt. Bev is in charge of the search. She is nearing 60 and has been doing this for some time. Considered an outsider since she is from Massachusetts, she has worked to be accepted in the job. Finally, Lena, an older woman in a care facility is chatting online with a forest forager. Each of these women tell a story of mothers/daughters, of loss and love. It is a beautifully-written story with an undertone of suspense as they search desperately for Valerie. I loved it.
Rhonda
Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day
An intriguing novel set at Agatha Christie's Mallowan house during WWII. Two (non) nurses tend to children evacuees and much drama and speculation occurs.
Rose
One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter
A story of WWII and the Jewish community in Italy. Esti and Lili are best friends. In 1940, the war came to Italy when Germany invaded. Esti recruits Lili to join the resistance. Esti is helping to create papers for Jews to have safe passage. Esti has a son, Theo, and when Esti becomes wounded, she begs Lili to escape their small town and run with Theo. Lili is frightened but takes young Theo on a journey, hoping they will eventually be reunited with Esti, and also with Lili's father. The story covers several years of the war, and relates stories of those who helped to hide Jews. It is a story of survival and love and a deep friendship. There is also a bit of romance and hope. A different story of WWII showing the Italian experience.
Rose
All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore
A father and daughter escape from a plantation. The father is light-skinned, so he passes as White, but keeps his daughter, Charlotte, posing as a slave in his new home. He enjoys being accepted into society. In Philadelphia, there is a movement to abolish slavery and Charlotte gets involved with one of the groups with her new friend, Nell. Charlotte later sees her old friend, Evie, who is still a slave, and Charlotte attempts to save Evie along with Nell. A pre-Civil War novel about the plight of Black Americans. Interesting story.
Rose
The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha
The Agarwals are a wealthy Indian family. They gather on a remote island off of the coast
of Scotland where one of the daughters wants to build a luxury resort. The children hope to hear that their father is selling the family business and they will all receive a windfall inheritance. The siblings, as well as the parents, have secrets and troubles in their past which continue to haunt them. This story is full of greed, bad decisions, and an overwhelming desire to protect family over doing what is right. It was just okay for me.
Rose
Whale Fall by Elizabeth O'Connor
In the fall of 1938, a whale washes up on the shore of a remote island off the coast of Wales. Manod, 18, lives with her dad and younger sister on the island but dreams of going to live on the mainland. Edward and Joan come from the mainland to study the habits, food, clothing, and lifestyle of the islanders. They use Manod as their helper and translator. Manod learns some harsh truths as a result of the mainlanders coming to the island. An interesting look at life on these islands, which is now a bygone era.
Donna
The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian
This meticulously-researched tale was inspired by the true story of the friendship between a Yankee soldier and a Confederate woman. It is more character-driven, with those characters being quite memorable. Libby, the Confederate woman, is a force to be reckoned with. Jonathan, the Yankee soldier, is thoughtful and introspective. Jubilee, Libby’s twelve-year-old niece, is a spitfire. I loved the banter between Jubilee and Jonathan. Sally and Joseph, former slaves now free, who have experienced terror of their own, are both upstanding characters working side by side with Libby risking their own lives. The horrors of war are ever present underscoring just how difficult war is for all parties involved including civilians.
Carol Papinchak
Now or Never by Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Plum is always a fun character to visit. Although the antics are pretty much the same throughout the series, it was an interesting twist to see she made a decision between the two marriage proposals. Listened to the audio version.
Dorothy
The Californians by Brian Castleberry
A family journey of the past 100 years. The good and the bad that happens in families and how the relationships are dealt with by the young and old as they try to bury the hurts. Good for book club.
Donna
The Slate by Matthew FitzSimmons
This thriller features Agatha Cundiff, a retired political mover and shaker. She was convinced to do something that she should not have done and has been in hiding. She rents her basement to a young woman and finds out the woman has done something that puts her in a bad situation. Agatha comes out of seclusion to rescue the young woman. Suddenly Agatha becomes a badass character and is viewed in a different light by the reader. Delightful read.
Kathy
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
Beth and Gabriel fell in love as teenagers. Their lives took different paths. As Beth married Frank and had a son, Bobby, she found happiness. As Bobby died in a tragic accident and Gabriel came into her life, Beth returned to her first true love. As Beth began an affair with Gabriel tragedy struck again. Frank, Beth’s husband showed the depths of his true love. The ending could not have been predicted.
Kathy
The Next Ship Home by Heather Webb
Ellis Island,1902. An Italian immigrant escaping a cruel father does what she needs to do to enter New York. An unscrupulous agent rapes Fran and leaves her pregnant. Alma, a German American working at Ellis Island befriends Fran. Alma is ambitious and hopes to become a translator, a job no woman has. Alma is trying to escape a cruel stepfather. These two women support each other.
Kathy
The Winners by Fredrik Backman
The third in Backman’s trilogy about Bear Town. Hockey reigns supreme. The game , the rivalry, the families and players learning life lessons. They support each other as characters interact learning life lessons and tragedy both unites and divides communities.
Marcie
The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar
I loved this book because it was a historical novel with two time lines: the 1800s and the 1990s. It told the story of Johanna Bogner van Goghthe, sister-in-law of Vincent Van Gogh, and Emsley who is visiting her grandmother, Violet Velar. The are separated hundreds of years but seem to have something in common. Emsley finds a diary and wants to find out about Johanna from the diary, and in the end she finds a connection.
Carol
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
This amazing story, TAKE MY HAND, captured my heart and left me no choice but to keep turning the next page. It is loosely based on a true story about two young Black girls, Mary Alice and Minnie Lee Roof. It reveals what "healthcare" was in some communities of the deep South where the poor and minorities lacked basic information about their health. The book follows the life of Civil Townsend, a public health nurse, who is assigned to Black girls India and Erica Williams. Civil grew up a bit more privileged than most Black families in Alabama. She soon becomes more than their nurse, taking on their grooming, education and even their living conditions. Halfway through this heartbreaking book, something very sad and unforgettable happens.
Rose
Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd
Nora comes to Gulls Nest to find her friend, Frieda. They were in the convent together until Frieda left. When her letters stop, Nora knows that she must find her. Gulls Nest is a boarding house with a varied cast of characters. Soon after Nora's arrival, one of the tenants is found dead. Nora inserts herself into the police investigation, believing that the tenant was poisoned. This is an entertaining novel, which will keep you guessing as to why the person was killed and who did it. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Annette
The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by Thad Carhart
This is a new type of read for me. Many years ago I took piano lessons and have been thinking of doing it again. This book is about a man who also took piano lessons and saw a shop that had pianos and stopped in one day. He began to learn about the many types of pianos and about the people who owned them. It's different and interesting for music lovers.
Karen
Finding Margaret Fuller by Allison Pataki
Wow! I appreciated the pacing of the story, the curiosity it piqued by mentioning her associations with other writers and women rights. I will be recommending it to others.
Andi
Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell
A bit of a cozy mystery. It was everything I needed after some more difficult reads. While I figured out who-done-it early on, it was fun to see it unfold. I'll be reading Book 2 soon!
Andi
The Artist of Blackberry Grange by Paulette Kennedy
A great Gothic historical mystery. Loved the setting and the characters. If you want some "REBECCA" feels with a bit more paranormal, this one is for you!
Sandy
When the Lights Go Out by Mary Kubica
Jessie Sloane is on the path of rebuilding her life after years of caring for her ailing mother. She rents an apartment and applies for college. But when the college informs her that her social security number has raised a red flag, she discovers a detail that causes her to doubt everything she has ever known. This book kept me guessing throughout the three days I read it, and I could have never guessed the ending.
Carole
James by Percival Everett
My book group enjoyed reading this book. But one reader felt the author plagiarized part of the story from HUCKLEBERRY FINN.
kathy
Three-Fifths by John Vercher
I finished reading this book almost three weeks ago. I liked it a lot, but it also was quite sad.
Tessa
Big Panda and Tiny Dragon by James Norbury
Two unlikely friends set off on a journey of discovery. The story is told through James Norbury’s wonderful drawings and the pair’s quiet conversations. There were times when I just sat and looked at one of those drawings and let my mind take me where it wanted.
Rose
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
In the 1950s, a new tenant, Grace, moves into the Briarwood House and changes the lives of all who live there. She begins painting the walls and hosting Thursday night dinners. Each person in the house has a story to tell, and ultimately two people are dead. The entire book is spent providing the backstories of the tenants, and leaving you to wonder who the dead are, and why they were killed. I felt the story was disjointed as it told the lives of each woman, but it ended up coming together in the end, which saved it for me.
Rose
Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson
A YA novel with a shocking twist. Claudia and Monday are the best of friends, but when Monday doesn't show up for school, Claudia is concerned. She begins asking everyone about Monday. She checks with Monday's mother and older sister. She asks the school counselor, friends and her own parents. The story is told in the before and after, and Claudia is not getting answers...or if she does, they are contradictory. And then the shocking twist. I never saw it coming. Wow.
Donna
I See You’ve Called in Dead by John Kenney
When I read the title, I just couldn’t resist picking up this book. And I'm so glad I did. What an emotional read. There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, as well as moments reading through tear-filled eyes. It was a wonderful reminder that life is not about waiting for that one perfect moment to start living. A good life is about treasuring all those small moments one by one along the way. Such a memorable, life-affirming read.
Rose
Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
Cam is shocked when the police come to tell her of a hostage situation and that her husband, Luke, is the hostage taker. After a woman is released, two men are killed, and Luke goes on the run. Cam, a literary agent, can't imagine her husband as the killer. The hostage negotiator, Niall, is tormented by the situation. Then, seven years later, there may be a break in the case. This is another tense thriller from McAllister, but there were many clues that I understood before they were revealed.
Rose
Nothing Ever Happens Here by Seraphina Nova Glass
3.5 rounded to 4 stars. Shelby is brutally attacked in her small Minnesota town. She is trying to recover with the help of her husband, Clay, and her best friend, Mack. Mack's husband, Leo, went missing around the time of the attack, and Mack tries not to believe that he was involved. A group of senior citizens from the local retirement home decide to get involved and try to help solve the mystery of the attack. Sometimes humorous, but often dark, this was an interesting mystery with a complicated story as to whodunit.
Brenda
Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts
This was an interesting and easy read told from perspective of Maud, the widow of author Frank Baum. It is a dual timeline of their life, and how it results in the iconic book and making of the beloved movie The Wizard of Oz. Maud at age 78 wiggled her way onto the movie set, befriending young Judy Garland and working to deliver the magic of the story to the movie. I enjoyed the insights into Baum's personality and the making of the movie.
Rose
Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
HAPPY LAND is about the Kingdom of the Happy Land, where Black people created a kingdom in the Carolinas after being freed after the Civil War. William and Louella were named King and Queen of Happy Land, and now their descendant, Mother Rita, is recounting the story to her granddaughter, Veronica/Nikki. Mother Rita is a fierce defender of her right to live on the land, even when there are some trying to lay claim to it. It is a beautiful story of people who know that owning land is an important way to establish yourself and build wealth. I loved it and will continue to read everything that Dolen Perkins-Valdez writes!
