Best Books of 2019

I always find it interesting to look back over the books that I rated "Best Of" for the year. I read over 70 books in 2019 but it still surprised me that I had 14 books that made my "Best Of" list - I thought it would be less as I felt like I had a lot of duds. When I went back and reviewed the list, I found myself not only nodding my head at the amazing memories that each of the books evoked but, I was surprised by the variety of genres.

It also reminded me that I want to read more by these authors and writing this post prompted me to check out several other ebooks by these authors from my library. I have decided that when I get old, I am going back to all of my "Best Of' lists from previous years (links to Best Of lists are on the right hand side of this blog) and reread them - something to look forward to!

What were some of your 'Best Of' books from this past year?

The Silent Wife by Kerry Fisher

My Rating: 3.5

This is the story of two women who are both the second wives of Italian brothers, It is told in alternating perspectives between each of the women.

This is a story of lies, history, being a step-mother and trying to forge your place in a family as a second wife. At times this really pulled me in and the author's writing had real promise but unfortunately the majority of the book felt rather formula.

Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

My Rating: 3.2

Having recently moved back to L.A., Hannah goes out on the town with her best friend Gabby. She reconnects with her old boyfriend Ethan. Then the plot splits into two storylines - like Sliding Doors. In one version, she goes home with Gabby and in another version she goes home with Ethan. It goes back and forth between each version of the story.

This is a fluffy easy read and follows the author's format of her early books. It doesn't compare with her current books (Daisy Jones & The Six or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo ) which I hope are indicative of the new direction she is going with her writing but, it was a fun light read.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand

My Rating: 2.0

Alexis/Lex's brother has committed suicide. Lex is a math major and her psychiatrist Dave recommends she journal her feelings. She is keeping the secret that her brother sent her a text before he died and she is carrying that guilt.

This wasn't bad but after reading so many other similar Young Adult books, it was very cliche. A Y.A. novel dealing with a tragic topic. This deals directly with a lot of difficult topics including suicide, grief, depression, guilt, etc.

A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

My Rating: 4.8

This is about Rafiq and Layla's children Hadia, Huda, and Amar, first generation Americans trying to define their paths while deciding how to incorporate their parent's customs and beliefs. This covers the children's journey from children to adults...and the parents journey as well.

I loved all of the characters. To my surprise, I particularly loved Part 4, where the same circumstances were retold but this time, from the Father's perspective. I am glad I didn't read too much about this and when my gf from India recommended it, I remembered I had it on my kindle and moved it to the top of the queue. It is about coming of age, Muslim-Americans, struggling with different cultures and being a parent. More than anything, it is about family.

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

My Rating: 4.0

Evvie is a widow and everyone feels sorry for her - not knowing that she was going to leave her husband the night he died.

Dean is a major league pitcher who suddenly can't throw straight, and has no idea why.

When Dean moves into the apartment in the back of Evvie's house, they both agree to not talk about their biggest issues - her being a widow and his not being able to pitch. This is the start of an unlikely friendship that grows into more.

I honestly didn't know if I was going to stick with this one. It was fluffy, wholesome  and predictable. Once I adjusted my expectations, I quite enjoyed it.

Things You Save In A Fire by Katherine Center

My Rating: 4.7

Cassie is one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse. She's a total pro at other people's tragedies, but when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to give up her whole life and move to Boston, Cassie suddenly has an emergency of her own. Cassie reluctantly decides to move and embarks on a new firehouse, a new relationship and a new journey.

At times, this was a little off the meter for me on the romance scale but, overall I enjoyed it. I felt that it brought the firehouse to life and I really enjoyed that. Although Cassie's relationships - with her mother, with the rookie and others - was rather predictable, it wasn't so cheezy as to lose me. A very enjoyable read.

The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon

My Rating: 2.7

Moses is strong, beautiful and a wee tad crazy. He expresses this through his painting which, when it ends up on barns and bridges, is not always appreciated. Georgia is drawn to Moses and quickly discovers his quirky side.

This had unfulfilled promise. It crossed over into the paranormal but it was the Harlequin Romance parts that killed it for me. It had a strong Young Adult feel....and not in a good way.

Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris

My Rating: 3.0

At age 16, Cilka ends up in a concentration camp and, when she is singled out by the Commandant,quickly learns that power, whether chosen or not, can help her survive. After the war is over and the camp is liberated, Cilka is sent to another camp under charges of sleeping with the enemy. This is her story in the Siberian Camps.

This is was about a part of history I wasn't familiar with - after WWII in the Siberian Prison Gulags. I don't deny that the author researched this part of the book very well. What rang so false for me was that, despite spending 10+ years in concentartion camps, Cilka radiated beauty, is amazingly smart and has so much compassion and patience. I am surprised she wasn't wearing wings. It felt so manipulative and patronizing for the author to put Cilka in circumstances beyond her control to gain our sympathy and then continue to wring us dry with how perfect Cilka was in every way. The writing also felt flat and didn't convey and depth - whether the Siberian cold, the hunger or guilt - so I didn't feel for Cilka. There are so many other books that have such amazing depth and capture this horrific period of time. I would recommend skipping this one

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

My Rating: 5.0

This is about a mom, dad and their four daughters. It starts with the four girls being adults and where they are in their lives today but it flashes back to the 70's when their mom and dad first met. Told through current day and flashbacks, it fills in each of their stories, to where you not only understand how they became who they are but you care for each one of them. Through flashbacks and current day, this seamlessly covers half a century of these six people's lives.

This was so well done. Every character was so well developed and you understood all the nuances that made them in to who they are today. I was so sad when this ended. How is it possible that this was the author's first book?  More importantly, when is she going to release her next book!

Normal People by Sally Rooney

My Rating: 2.5

At school in Ireland, Connell and Marianne pretend not to know each other. He’s popular and well-adjusted, star of the school soccer team while she is lonely, proud, and intensely private. But when Connell comes to pick his mother up from her housekeeping job at Marianne’s house, a strange and indelible connection grows between the two teenagers—one they are determined to conceal.

I am shocked that this was a nominee for the Man Booker's Prize. Although it was well written, the dysfunctional characters were not likable. It is a very sad and depressing novel with a flat storyline. 

The River by Peter Heller

My Rating: 4.9

Best friends, Wynn and Jack share their love of mountains, books, and fishing. Wynn is a gentle giant, a Vermont kid never happier than when his feet are in the water. Jack is more rugged, raised on a ranch in Colorado where sleeping under the stars and cooking on a fire came as naturally to him as breathing. When they decide to canoe the Maskwa River in northern Canada, they anticipate long days of leisurely paddling and picking blueberries, and nights of stargazing and reading paperback Westerns. But a wildfire making its way across the forest adds unexpected urgency to the journey. They also encounter several people and try to warn them about the fire but soon regret this.

Wow, wow, wow. Oh Peter Heller I love you (ok, at least your writing). I loved The Dog Stars and this was just as an amazing experience. I loved all the characters, the sense of foreboding and the amazing descriptions. I love that 'nature' was one of the characters. I am moving some of your other books up to the top of my queue as you have a way of whisking the reader away and when they land after that last page is turned, all they can do is reminisce over the magical journey you just took us on. Heller captures the power of nature as well as man's vulnerabilities so well. I highly recommend the audio version of this book.

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

My Rating: 2.5

The Nickel Academy is a reform school in Tallahassee Florida. When Elwood gets caught up in a tragic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, ends up serving time. The Nickel Academy.is a grotesque chamber of horrors, where the sadistic staff beats and sexually abuses the students, corrupt officials and locals steal food and supplies, and any boy who resists is likely to disappear "out back."

For myself, this was about horrific events that had no feeling behind the writing. The writing felt flat and, despite feeling sorry for Elwood's circumstances, I didn't care about any of the characters, The first half of the book was somewhat engaging but the last half of the book was so poorly written that I had trouble staying engaged. Horrific things happened but it felt so detached. This is not historical fiction but a work of fiction based around an actual reform school. None of the characters were real and it didn't have any fact and definitely didn't bring that horrible period to life which was a missed opportunity.I don't think authors that try to capitalize on tragic events without any quality in the writing are for me.

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

My Rating: 4.0

Alice Wright marries wealthy American Bennett Van Cleve to flee from her judgmental home and family in England. She rues the day as the marriage is less than idyllic. She decides to escape the Van Cleve home by joining Margery in delivering books to the back woods of Kentucky.

If you haven't heard the controversy (I hadn't until later), Moyes came out with this book just a few months after The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Both books are about the little written about time of the Kentucky Pack Horse Library Program. For me, the similarity stops there. I felt that Moyes book was fluffy, superficial and more about the characters. This was a quick read but very romance and drama based and a little too wrapped up in a bow for my liking. I enjoyed The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek more as it felt deeper and dealt with the women's struggles and joys in delivering the library books as well as the additional layer of the Blue People. I am not saying this book was bad but, with all the talk of comparison, if I had to pick only one, it would definitely be The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

My Rating: 4.8

In 1936, 19 year old Cussy Carter lives in Troublesome Creek, Kentucky. Cussy is the last of the rare 'blue people' who is so excited to get a job in the new Pack Horse Library Project.  As she travels with her mule up the trecherous mountains of Kentucky to deliver books to the folks on her route, they soon overcome their fear of her blue color and call her "Bluet" or "Book Woman" and can't wait for her visits.

I can't puzzle out why I loved this so much, but I did. I felt that this was about two different things - the blue colored people and the library delivery system - both of which were educational and fascinating. Cussy Mary was an absolute delight and I enjoyed the glimpse into the many lives in the back hills of Kentucky. This is not a fast paced book but rather, it takes you back in time to a slower pace and allows you to peek in on their lives. Delightful read.

The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff

My rating: 3.0

This covers WWII and the role women had as radio operators and couriers. It mainly deals with Marie and Eleanor and then also there is Grace who is in 1946.

While I enjoyed the story line of women's role during the war, the writing and characters felt 'flat' to me. Perhaps it was the audio narration but, despite a very interesting premise, I just didn't care about anyone in this book. It felt completely lacking in character development. I also felt there was a lot of holes in things (ditzy women being put in charge or being enlisted with no other skills than a language?) as well as historical errors (there was no daily news coverage back in 1946).  It was also very quickly obvious who the bad guy was so there was no suspense in that for me. I realize that I have read a few other books by this author and gavc them all mediocre ratings so, I think that this author isn't for me.

Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague

My Rating: 2.0

A dog is sent to obedience school and sends letters to his owner insinuating that rather than being in a pampered training school that he is in prison.

I didn't realize when I saw this book so highly recommended that the target audience of this 32 page book is accurately aimed at ages 4 to 8 years old. Those must be the ones who in their reviews said it was 'hilarious'. I think a child would enjoy this but definitely not meant for adults.

Bookmarks Nov/Dec 2019

Bookmarks makes any day better but what a fabulous start to the week to get it on a Monday! I am excited about quite a few of these books but, especially the few that were translated. For some reason, those always feel 'richer' to me and the reviews were stellar. Should be great reading.

Let me know any picks I missed or any fabulous books you have read lately that I should check out!

      


      


  

The Hummingbird by Stephen P. Kiernan

My Rating: 4.5

Deborah is a seasoned hospice nurse who is used to showing patience and compassion. Her skills and experience are tested in new and dramatic ways when her easygoing husband, Michael, returns from his third deployment to Iraq haunted by nightmares, anxiety, and rage. She is determined to help him heal, and to restore the tender, loving marriage they once had.

At the same time, Deborah’s new hospice patient is Barclay Reed, a retired history professor and expert in the Pacific Theater of World War II whose career ended in academic scandal. Alone in the world, the embittered professor is dying. As Barclay begrudgingly comes to trust Deborah, he tells her stories from that long-ago war, which help her find a way to help her husband battle his demons.

I learned so many things that I didn't know about WWII. This was such an interesting way to educate someone - with both the flashbacks to the event and the two current day stories. Very educational and enjoyable. Excellent depiction of the hospice nurse, Michael as the WWII PST survivor and the Professor bridging the stories. Strongly recommend the audio version which captured Deborah's sweet spirit.

One Day In December by Jose Silver

My Rating: 4.0

Laurie is on the bus and at a stop, she makes eye contact with a man that she knows is 'the one'. She spends almost a year with her best friend Sarah looking for 'bus boy'. She is trying to come to terms with never finding him and instead is thrilled that Sarah has met the man of her dreams - Jack. When Laurie finally meets Jack, he is 'bus boy'.

Part of me loved this. I fell in love with Laurie, Sarah and Jack and the many twists and turns of their lives. I loved that this was told from all three of their perspectives (I definitely saw Hugh Grant as Jack!). Another part of me felt this had a cheezy Harlequin Romance feel but thankfully that was only for a very small part of the book. This was a sweet endearing story of star crossed lovers, friendship and fate. Definitely recommend the audio version.

Side Note: this is my first and only book I have added to the 'romance' category.

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer

My Rating; 4.7

Back in WWII Alina knew from the time she was 9 years old  that she was going to marry her best friend Tomasz. Now at 15 years old, she is engaged and blissfully naive of what it means as the Nazis invade Poland.

In present day, Alice is juggling being a mother of 2 children - a gifted girl and a little boy with Asperger's. She feels her husband doesn't know how to interact with their son and is working far too much. She struggles to juggle everything when she finds out her beloved 95 year old grandmother is in the hospital.When "Babscia" tries to have her grandaughter Alice find her long dead husband, the family thinks that stroke has impacted her memory.

I loved the unfolding of these two story lines and how they gradually wove together. I started  off enjoying Alina's story more but, as it unfolded, I really felt for Alice and everything she was dealing with. I thought the story line of Alice and her husband was particularly well done. Some reviewers say that Alina wasn't relatable but I think that at 15 years old, her oblivion of the war and focus on her own life was very understandable. This was a very enjoyable read.

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

My Rating: 2.0

No visitors. No nights spent away from the apartment. No disturbing the other residents, all of whom are rich or famous or both. These are the only rules for Jules Larsen’s new job as an apartment sitter at the Bartholomew, one of Manhattan's most high-profile and mysterious buildings.

The protaganist was a whiny entitled bore. The plot that had promise in the beginning, took so many bizarre cult/supernatural twists that it left me behind. You might ask why I bothered finishing this book and that is a valid question that I am still asking myself. 

The Mother's Promise by Sally Hepsworth

My Rating: 4.7

Alice is a struggling single mother to Zoe, her teenage daughter who also has crippling social anxiety. They are always there for each other as their tight family of two, until Alice gets diagnosed with cancer. Then their circle has to expand to allow the help and support they need to get through the illness.

I really enjoyed this book. I felt so much for both Alice and Zoe. Zoe's social anxiety was very well portrayed and I loved her speech so much.There was one part that seemed a bit too coincidental with Alice's past and Sophie's husband but, I did love it and even cried at the end. Very well done.

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

My Rating: 3.0

A 91-year-old woman with a hidden past as an orphan-train rider and the teenage girl whose own troubled adolescence leads her to seek answers to questions no one has ever thought to ask. Nearly eighteen, Molly gets a community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping her out of juvie and worse.

I enjoyed the story of the 91 year old woman much more than the current day story with Molly. The writing felt very weak and YA. Unfortunately the author doesn't know how to make "bad guys" have any depth, so the bad characters were very poorly portrayed with only one dimension and not believable. The political agenda was also off putting.  Disappointing considering all the hype that I heard about this book when it came out.

Forever Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid

My Rating:  3.2

Elsie meets the love of her life and within weeks, they elope. Nine days later, he is hit by a truck and killed. None of his family or friends even know that Elsie existed.

I have read several books by this author:

• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
• Daisy Jones and The Six
• One True Loves (which I knew would be lighter than the above two)

and I loved them all. I realized that this book was written previously when the author seemed to be in to lighter books but since I enjoyed One True Loves (which was also written previously and lighter), I thought I would give it a try. Unfortunately this book didn't work for me. It felt that the plot line was too contrived and fluffy and none of the characters had any depth. I think I will stick to her more current books when she seems to have taken her writing up a notch.

The Better Sister by Alafair Burke

My Rating: 4.6

Chloe is married to Adam and raising his son Ethan. Chloe's husband just happens to be her sister Nicky's ex-husband. When Adam is murdered, Chloe reluctantly allows her estranged sister back into her life.

I enjoyed this quick read domestic thriller. There were enough twists and turns that I didn't have a clue of who did it until very near the end.

Found (The Missing #1) by Margaret Peterson Haddix

My Rating: 2.8

Thirteen-year-old friends Jonah and Chip, who re both adopted, find out that they were discovered on a plane that appeared out of nowhere, full of babies, with no adults on board, they realize that they have uncovered a mystery involving time travel and two opposing forces, each trying to capture them.

Maybe this book would be great if you are 14 years old but for me, the premise was just too 'out there' for me to go with it. I also didn't care about any of the characters and the writing felt very juvenile. If I am going to read Young Adult, I would prefer it be smart and written for any maturity level.

The Mother In-Law by Sally Hepworth

My Rating: 3.8

Diana, Lucy's mother-in-law, has always kept Lucy at arm's length. Now Diana is dead just a short while after her husband's death and there is a note. Suicide seems to be the logical conclusion but as the police investigate, it seems there are a lot of motives for murder.

While I enjoyed the writing, the characters and the plot were lackluster. We were supposed to think the MIL was evil but it never delivered. Any supposed suspense felt anticlimatic and just didn't pull me in. I will try other books by this author as I did enjoy her writing style.

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

My Rating: 3.8

In an unnamed South American country, a world-renowned soprano sings at a birthday party in honor of a visiting Japanese industrial titan. In the opening sequence, a ragtag band of 18 terrorists enters the vice-presidential mansion through the air conditioning ducts. Their quarry is the president, who has unfortunately stayed home to watch a favorite soap opera. From the beginning, things go awry.

Wow! There is no easy way to summarize this book. If you are reading it to "know what happens in the end" you will be disappointed. This isn't about the ending....it is about the beautiful journey that unfolds of each character - terrorist or hostage...and the lines get blurred.  I read this years ago and loved it. This time reading it was enjoyable but didn't have the grip that it did then. I don't deny that there is so much beauty in the prose and unfolding but, somehow, it didn't hold up. I am not sure if it didn't stand the test of time, if I expected too much or if I have advanced in my expectations as a reader. Good but not great.

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim

My Rating: 4.8

In Virginia, a special treatment center with a hyperbaric chamber that may cure a range of conditions from infertility to autism. Then the chamber explodes, two people die, and it’s clear the explosion wasn’t an accident.  This book is told in flashbacks before the accident and through the current day trial.

This book captures so much - how it would feel to be the mother of a child on the Autistic Spectrum, how it would feel to be an Immigrant, how it would feel to try to make a contraversial business successful, courtroom dynamics and so much more. So many aspects were so well represented in this book. This is uncomfortable in dealing with so many issues but extremely well written. It is hard to believe it is her first book and I can't wait for her next.

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

My Rating: 5.0

This is about two kids, Peter and Kate, who grow up next door to each other and fall in love. It starts before they are born with their dad's, Francis and Brian, as rookie Irish cops on the same beat. You get to know all of Peter and Kate's family members as well as what goes on behind closed doors. There is a pivotal event that changes everything for both families.

This readable family drama is about life, love, forgiveness and so much more. I love how she captures Irish cops, living in New York. I fell in love with all the characters, flaws and all. I couldn't wait to get back to this book. Wow. Just wow. So sad it is over. Without a doubt, the best book I have read in quite a while. LOVED it!!!

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

My Rating: 4.8

Emma marries Jesse, her high school sweet-heart. On their first wedding anniversary, Jesse is on a helicopter that goes missing...and is gone. Fast forward 10 years and Emma has rebuilt her life, now running her parent's book store and engaged to Sam, her childhood friend. It feels like Emma’s second chance at happiness, until Jesse is found, alive!

I admit, I thought this was going to be cheezy. I wasn't expecting to fall in love with it, let alone wish that I had read this for bookclub as it would have made a GREAT discussion. The characters were real and well developed and nothing felt pat or easy. It was a quick easy read without being fluffy. I loved how it unfolded as well as the ending. 

The Face On The Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney

My Rating: 3.4

A 16 year old girl recognizes herself as the face of the missing child on the milk carton. Janie can't believe her loving parents kidnapped her. She realizes that there are no photos of her before she was 5 years old and other things don't add up. She starts to have memories and can't let go of wondering if she was kidnapped twelve years ago.

I enjoyed this book enough to get out book #2 and #3 from the library but, also was disappointed to discover that, despite being made into a movie, this is not based on a true story. I also felt that this was REALLY long and am concerned the sequels will be 'milking' (ha!) this even further. It definitely should have been edited down so it didn't drag so much. Still, a quick easy read.

The Night Before by Wendy Walker

My Rating: 3.2

Lori falls fast and hard for the wrong kind of men. Her sister Rosie who is happily married with a child is the 'steady' one in the family. You know that something has happened in Lori's past and you just aren't sure if it happened to Lori or she was the one who did something. Lori decides to try online dating and meets a man but doesn't come home from the date. Rosie and her husband and their childhood friend Gabe all try to track down Lori and it unfolds from there.

I loved the timeline going from Rosie and her husband in current day looking for Lori to the flashbacks to childhood as well as to Lori going out on the date. I enjoyed this until the last 1/4 which took a sudden turn in the plotline and got so horrifically cheezy that it lost me. So sad as I really did enjoy the first 3/4 of this book.

Bookmarks Sept/Oct 2019

I am always SO excited to get my Bookmarks magazine!  It has been crazy insane (more on what is going on in a video this Tuesday) but this couldn't have been more perfect timing! I don't know how to procrastinate so, when I walked to my mailbox and discovered this gem waiting for me, I immediately sought out a quiet corner in my house to curl up and devour this fabulous magazine. Such a needed escape!


      

      
   

The Baker's Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan

My Rating: 4.7

Emma is 22 years old and learning to bake since she was 13 under the tutelage of Ezra. With the Nazi occupation of her town, life changes completely. Emma has no hope of the Allied forces rescuing them but she can't handle seeing her fellow townfolk starving so, she does what she can to help them.

I really enjoyed this. Even though Emma didn't have hope of rescue, she provided hope to her fellow townfolk. It is amazing how much the human spirit can endure and survive and this captures the feeling of being one of the townfolk trying to survive.

The Winter Soldier by Daniel Mason

My Rating: 4.9

Vienna, 1914. Lucius is a twenty-two-year-old medical student when World War I explodes across Europe. Enraptured by romantic tales of battlefield surgery, he enlists, expecting a position at a well-organized field hospital. But when he arrives, at a commandeered church tucked away high in a remote valley of the Carpathian Mountains, he finds a freezing outpost ravaged by typhus. The other doctors have fled, and only a single, mysterious nurse named Sister Margarete remains.

This book won't be for everyone as it does lag at times. For me, the beautiful writing propelled it along. I truly FELT each scene - the weather, the war, the emotions - and that will stay with me. Absolutely gorgeous but not a light fluffy read and at times, I didn't like where the plot went but again, the writing held me to the end. Will definitely get more by this author.

The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg

My Rating: 4.6

Three different people. who find their way back from loss and loneliness to a different kind of happiness. Arthur, a widow, meets Maddy, a troubled teenage girl who is avoiding school by hiding out at the cemetery, where Arthur goes every day for lunch to have imaginary conversations with his late wife, and think about the lives of others. The two strike up a friendship that draws them out of isolation. With Arthur’s nosy neighbor Lucille, they create a loving and unconventional family, proving that life’s most precious moments are sweeter when shared.

This was a heartwarming story that I didn't want to end. I particularly loved Arthur - the epitame of the sweet quirky old man that captures your heart

The Liar's Girl by Catherine Ryan Howard

My Rating: 4.8

At St John's College in Dublin, Will and Alison are dating. Flash forward 10 years to when Alison is living in the Netherlands and Will is in a psychiatric hospital for being the most prolific serial killer in Ireland's history.

The Garda detectives visit Will to see if he can assist them in solving what looks like a copycat killing. Instead, Will tells them he has something new to confess-but there's only one person he's prepared to confess it to, and she doesn't want to have anything to do with the past she has worked so hard to put behind her.

This delicious story was like popcorn - light and I couldn't get enough. 

The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

My Rating: 4.2

15 years ago, Emma and 3 other girls share a cabin at summer camp. When the other 3 girls sneak out and never return, it haunts Emma.

Fast forward 15 years and Franny, the owner of the camp, decides to reopen it and invites Emma back. It is immediately apparent that things are not right.

This had me second guessing the ending....right up until the ending (although I think my ending was better HA!) It was good but, rather repetitive and the 'sense of foreboding' seemed contrived. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if it had moved at a faster pace. 

My Name Is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira

My rating: 4.9

It is the 1800's and Mary is a brilliant young midwife who dreams of becoming a surgeon. Mary travels to Washington D.C. to help tend the wounded from the Civil War.

This was wonderful in the details of the Civil War as well as the horrible lack of medical equipment and knowledge. I learned a lot and found this such a wonderful perspective of the every day person (vs the slave or the soldier) that I hadn't heard before. Very readable and I cared about all the characters. I can't wait to read the sequel to this! Definite recommend!

Watching Edie by Camilla Way

My Rating: 4.6

Edie was a charismatic teenager who got in with the wrong crowd. Now at 33 yo, she is working as a waitress and pregnant. When she becomes overwhelmed by the needs of her new baby and sinks into a bleak despair, when her former best friend Heather shows up on her doorstep. She hasn't seen Heather for 17 years and now she has to decide how much she can trust her.

I didn't see the twist coming. I enjoyed this quick paced thriller. Warning, some graphic/uncomfortable parts.

The Lies We Told by Camilla Way

My Rating: 4.4

Clara's boyfriend, Luke, disappears, everyone believes that he's left her or that he went out for a night on the town and stayed with a friend but will be back. Recent evidence suggests that Luke had a stalker, and Clara worries that he's been kidnapped. Then Luke's older sister, Emily, who vanished twenty years ago, suddenly reappears.

This was entertaining but the last chapter was obviously trying to set things up for a sequel. It felt weird and I didn't like that. I did enjoy the rest of the book. 

The Power of the Dog by Don Winslow

My Rating: 5.0

This extremely gritty novel follows DEA Agent Art Keller in his hunt for the Berrera Brothers and their drug cartel. From the streets of New York City to Mexico City and Tijuana to the jungles of Central America, this is the war on drugs like you’ve never seen it.

This is so graphic, real and gritty. The torture, sex and drugs will haunt you...as will the reality of what is going on. I googled so many things in this book and they were all true! I think all men would love this book about the war on drugs with Mexico and Central America. This is the Sopranos combined with Pablo Escobar - on steroids. Although this is labeled as fiction, every single thing I googled was fact so I would label this as historical fiction (the names have been changed to protect the guilty). This is being made into a Netflix movie and I can't wait! I will definitely be reading the other two books in the trilogy. Wow. Absolutely stellar

Bookmarks Magazine July/August

I always get so excited when my favorite magazine arrives in the mail. Here are the selections that jump out at me at first glance:
      
         

I already have this one in my queue thanks to a previous edition of Bookmarks and my book-twin Jeana:


I absolutely loved The Dog Stars and how Heller captures nature so I had to add this one:

The Safest Lies by Megan Miranda

My Rating: 3.0

Kelsey's mom was kidnapped when she was 17 years old. She hasn't been outside their home since she escaped and had Kelsey. Kelsey knows very little of that time except the extreme fear and precautionary measures her mother gets her to take. When Kelsey is in an accident that gets press coverage, she suddenly finds out a lot of things her mother has been hiding from her.

I loved the first half of the book but then so sad when it fell apart and the ending was just meh. Hate when that happens..

Weaving the Strands #2 by Barbara Hinske

My Rating: 4.7

This is #2 in the Coming to Rosemont Series. Maggie continues her life in Westbury. She is facing a lot of criticism from her job, she has too many guests for Thanksgiving dinner and just has her hands full all around.

This is a fast, fun and wholesome read. So enjoyable. I will definitely be reading more in this series.

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

My Rating: 4.9

Daisy is a girl coming of age in L.A. in the late 60's, sneaking into clubs on the Sunset Strip, sleeping with rock stars, and dreaming of singing at the Whisky a Go Go. The sex and drugs are thrilling, but it’s the rock and roll she loves most. By the time she’s twenty, her voice is getting noticed, and she has the kind of heedless beauty that makes people do crazy things.

 Also getting noticed is The Six, a band led by the brooding Billy Dunne. On the eve of their first tour, his girlfriend Camila finds out she’s pregnant, and with the pressure of impending fatherhood and fame, Billy goes a little wild on the road.

This is such a unique book. I honestly wasn't sure if I was going to like it and then I fell in love with it! It is told in the form of an interview style (picture members of Led Zepplin, Motley Crew, Ozzy Osbourne or The Beatles but with more pop style music-- being interviewed by The Rolling Stones Magazine). I loved all the various perspectives and you felt like you really knew these characters and were a fan of the band. Definite recommend and the audio was great as well.

Coming To Rosemont by Barbara Hinske

My Rating: 4.6

When Maggie's husband dies of a heart attack, she finds out he has been keeping a lot of secrets....including that he inherited a beautiful mansion called Rosemont in a small town in the Midwest called Westbury. Maggie goes to Westbury fully intended to sell Rosemont and instead falls in love with it. She makes an impulsive decision to sell everything from her California life and start fresh by moving to Rosemont.

I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful feel-good book. I loved all the characters (ok, not the bad guys lol!) including the dog Eve. It made me want to move to Westbury. This is a wholesome book without being syrupy. If you want a wonderful uplifting book that will keep you entertained, this is it!

The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo

My Rating: 2.0

When Ren's master dies, he has to find his finger to reunite it with the body. Ren has to do this in 49 days after his master's death or his soul will forever roam the earth.

Ji Lin wants to be a doctor but, as a girl in 1930's Malaysia a dressmaker is the best she can hope for. Ji Lin also moonlights as a dancehall girl to help pay off her beloved mother's Mahjong debts. One night, Ji Lin's dance partner leaves her with a gruesome souvenir: a severed finger. Convinced the finger is bad luck, Ji Lin enlists the help of her erstwhile stepbrother to return it to its rightful owner.

As the 49 days tick down, and a prowling tiger wreaks havoc on the town, Ji Lin and Ren's lives intertwine in ways they could never have imagined.

I know I am in the minority in my rating of this book but I thought it was awful. It isn't that Choo is a bad author as I quite enjoyed the writing. It is that the story was absolutely boring. Throwing in some touches of local customs and folklore doesn't a story make. The characters were flat and there was no story other than what I put above. I should have stopped reading this as it was a complete waste of time. Definitely do not recommend. If this is an indication of Reese Witherspoon's book picks, I will skipping them. UGH!

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

My Rating: 4.8

It is in the 1960's in North Carolina with two stories unfolding.  One is of Kya Clark, the Marsh Girl, who has had her family abandon her and she is forced to raise herself.  The other is of the discover of the dead body if Chase Andrews.

This is a quiet and beautiful read. It captures the marsh, the creatures and living life alone. The beauty of the gulls, the sand and discovering the smallest of creatures. It unfolds in such beauty that you don't want it to end...or for man to encroach on that peace. It is a coming of age story that captures live in the Carolinas. Loved it!

Captivate by Vanessa Van Edwards

My Rating: 2.3

Do you feel awkward at networking events? Do you wonder what your date really thinks of you? Do you wish you could decode people? Apparently, you need to learn the science of people.

This seemed more geared towards someone who is completely lost when it comes to reading people and their facial expressions...like COMPLETELY lost. I don't know anyone who is this inept at reading people. Maybe I have exceptional interpersonal skills (NOT!) but even when I got others who I viewed as less socially adept to take the quiz in this book, everyone scored very well. This book seemed very rudimentary without anything groundbreaking. Overall, this felt quite fluffy with advice like "don't force yourself to do things you don't want to do" and not anything amazing. 

The Banker's Wife by Cristina Alger

My Rating: 4.5

Matthew and Annabel are living in Geneva for Matthew's job that is working as a banker at Swiss United.  A couple boards a private plane bound for Geneva, when the plane disappears. It's wreckage is uncovered in the Alps with Matthew as one of the passengers.

Marina is a journalist who is engaged to Grant. Marina's future father-in-law is running for President. As she starts exploring the story of Swiss United, she realizes that she is disturbing things that some want to be left alone.

Love that this is filled with strong smart female characters! You get pulled into the world of offshore banking and the twists of this mystery/thriller. The writing is not nobel prize worthy but it was a fun entertaining read and I would read more by Alger.