The Editor by Steven Rowley

 My Rating: 4.7

James Smale finally sells his novel to an editor at a major publishing house: none other than Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Jackie--or Mrs. Onassis, as she's known in the office--has fallen in love with James's candidly autobiographical novel, one that exposes his own dysfunctional family. But when the book's forthcoming publication threatens to unravel already fragile relationships, both within his family and with his partner, James finds that he can't bring himself to finish the manuscript. Jackie and James develop an unexpected friendship, and she pushes him to write an authentic ending, encouraging him to head home to confront the truth about his relationship with his mother. Then a long-held family secret is revealed, and he realizes his editor may have had a larger plan that goes beyond the page...

All of the characters sprang to life off of the pages. I loved Jackie and James friendship as well as James and his dysfunctional family. This was thoroughly enjoyable. 

The Winners by Fredrik Backman

My Rating: 4.6

Two years have passed since the events that everyone wants to forget. Maya's parents, Peter and Kira, are caught up in an investigation of the hockey club's, tensions simmer between the two towns and a 14 year old boy wants revenge for his sister's death.

I loved Beartown and this brought Peter, Maya, Benji and a few more characters back along with some new ones. The rivalry between Beartown and Hed's hockey teams continues along with understanding many behind the scenes influencers.

The only two negative things I have to say about this book are:

1. The translation didn't make it an 'easy' read. It felt choppy and you had to get into the flow of it which took a while. It did capture the humor and once I got in to it, it was easier but never got to where it was a 'fast' read.

2. The foreboding got old and went on for so long that I wanted the event reveal to happen just to get it over with. Then, once the 'reveal' happened it was very anti-climactic. 

Other than those two things, this was a very enjoyable read.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

My Rating: 4.8

On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed. But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast. And then someone turns up dead.

This definitely invoked feelings of Agatha Christie - LOVED it! I always enjoy multiple point of views and this one had each character coming to life. The 'reveals' kept me on my toes throughout the book.  A great murder mystery.

The Good Sister

 My Rating: 2.5

Fern works in her local library. She has dinner with her twin sister Rose three nights a week. Fern avoids crowds, bright lights and loud noises as much as possible. Fern has a carefully structured life and disrupting her routine can be...dangerous. When Rose discovers that she cannot get pregnant, Fern sees her chance to pay her sister back for everything Rose has done for her. Fern can have a baby for Rose. She just needs to find a father. 

This premise of this book sounded cute and in the beginning, it was enjoyable. As it progressed, it fell far from anything enjoyable. The author told you EVERY nuance of every thing. Nothing at all left to chance that you could possibly figure anything out for yourself. It was very annoying and made it so I was very glad when I finished this. UGH.

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

My Rating: 4.8

Fifteen-year-old Kambili and her older brother Jaja lead a privileged life in Enugu, Nigeria. They live in a beautiful house, with a caring family, and attend an exclusive missionary school. They're completely shielded from the troubles of the world. Yet, as Kambili reveals in her tender-voiced account, things are less perfect than they appear. Although her Papa is generous and well respected, he is fanatically religious and tyrannical at home—a home that is silent and suffocating. As the country begins to fall apart under a military coup, Kambili and Jaja are sent to their aunt, a university professor outside the city, where they discover a life beyond the confines of their father’s authority. Books cram the shelves, curry and nutmeg permeate the air, and their cousins’ laughter rings throughout the house. 

The tension in the house is so palpable it comes off of the pages of the book.This is a very uncomfortable read but so well written. It makes you understand life in Nigeria, growing up with physical abuse and family. So many beautiful layers are captured.

The Daughter of Auschwitz by Tova Friedman

My Rating: 4.7

One of the youngest ever survivors, Tova grew up in the ghetto, a Nazi labor camp and then in Auschwitz. This captures the atrocities she witnessed, her near death experiences and most of all, the story of survival.

The audio book is told in a very calm factual way. I think this is good as I couldn't imagine such horrific circumstances being told with a lot of emotion. This was a difficult read but I think so important for us to never forget.