The Crane Wife by Patrick Ness

Rating: 4.9

George finds a giant white crane in his back yard with an arrow through it's wing. In the cold winter blue moonlight, George helps the bird and watches as it flies off not realizing that his life is transformed. The next day, Kimoko walks into his print shop and this is the beginning of a magical, romantic and unexpected journey.

I loved George, Kimoko and even George's socially challenged daughter Amanda.  This captured my heart. The magical realism parts were a bit much for my taste but Ness' writing is so gorgeous that it kept me reading till the last page. I didn't want this to end. This is a unique novel and won't be for everyone but for those who enjoy amazing writing you will be enthralled.

Find Her by Lisa Gardner

Rating: 4.8

It is 5 years since Flora was kidnapped from a Spring Break vacation in Florida and held for 452 days. She was captive in a pine box and brutalized. When Detective D.D. Warren is called to the scene of a crime with a dead man and a girl who is naked an in handcuffs, she pieces together that not only is the naked handcuffed girl Flora but, Flora has had similar encounters with 3 others.  Is Flora vigilante or victim?

Another suspend reality and enjoy the ride type of thriller. This had me up way too late turning the pages to find out what happened. 

Bookmarks Magazine - July/August 2019

What better way to relax after my trip to China than coming home to a Bookmarks Magazine (although it would been amazing to have on the plane ride!)

    
I don't normally like short stories but for some reason this one called to me:



I don't know if I am still jetlagged or if this issue didn't have near as many good books in it but not a lot called my name. I will be putting this edition in my suitcase to go over again.If you get Bookmarks, let me know which ones you think I missed that I should add!

Every Note Played by Lisa Genova

My rating: 4.9

An accomplished concert pianist, Richard is dealing with ALS. She knows the details of the disease and takes us through the grueling daily challenges of living with ALS that most of us probably never thought about. His ex-wife Karina becomes his reluctant caretaker. You not only understand ALS and the deterioration but, you understand Richard and Karina's marriage and each of their roles in it's demise.

This was sad but it didn't feel depressing as it was so real and honest. I felt like I would know what it would be like to have ALS or the emtions of caring for someone with ALS. Genova is a truly gifted author and she uses her knowledge or neuroscience in a way to educate without lecturing. I think this was even better than her previous book Still Alice. She is a true talent at adeptly handling difficult topics..

The Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

My rating: 3.6

TifAni went to prestigious Bradley School and endured a shocking, public humiliation that left her desperate to reinvent herself. She now has a glamorous job, expensive wardrobe, and handsome blue blood fiancé. She has worked hard to achieve what she has and you find out what has driven her through various flash backs.

This is a hard one for me to review. The first 1/3 of the book was not enjoyable at all - Ani is a superficial conniving woman that was so manipulative it set my teeth on edge. Then there is a big reveal that was so horrific and reeled me in and got me to see Ani in a different light. Then things were a bit more entertaining but still dragged till the next big reveal. Then things flowed a bit better and then wrapped up. This had enough that I kept reading and don't regret it but can't say this is a must read. For me, two contrived "big incidents" don't make up for completely unlikable characters and a poor story line.

Let Me Lie by Clare Mackintosh

My rating: 3.6

Both of Anna's parents committed suicide - her father 2 years ago and her mother last year.  She is reeling from this and goes to a counselor who she ends up in a relationship with and they have a child. Anna misses her parents more than ever and starts digging into their deaths which makes unplanned dangers surface.

I enjoyed this but boy you REALLY have to suspend reality...way too much. Also, none of the characters were particularly likable or deep. It was a fun read.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

My Rating: 4.7

Ellie is the golden girl and at age 15, when she goes missing, it sends her mother Laurel into a spiral that takes years for her to recover from. Ten years later, Laurel meets Floyd in a coffee shop and they begin a whirlwind romance.

I really enjoyed this with the "then" and "now" timeline. I only figured out pieces of this along the way but enjoyed it until the end. I felt for Laurel and loved her awareness of how she was treating her other daughter. Definitely very twisted with some sick individuals and a lot of suspending reality but I thought this was very well done..