Tuesday, December 29, 2020

The Last Flight by Julie Clark

 My Rating: 5.0


Two women. Two Flights. One chance to disappear. Claire Cook has a perfect life. Married to the scion of a political dynasty, with a Manhattan townhouse and a staff of ten, her surroundings are elegant, her days flawlessly choreographed, and her future auspicious. Behind closed doors, nothing is quite as it seems.

A chance meeting in an airport bar brings her together with Eva, a woman whose circumstances seem equally dire. Together they make a last-minute decision to switch tickets ― Claire taking Eva's flight to Oakland, and Eva traveling to Puerto Rico as Claire. They believe the swap will give each of them the head start they need to begin again somewhere far away. 

Wow. This was FABULOUS! Don't read too much about this book - just read it! Super fast delicious read! 

Monday, December 21, 2020

Smoke and Ashes (Sam Wyndham #3) by Abir Mukhergee

 My Rating: 4.9

This is the continuing story of Detective Sam Wyndhgam set in 1921 India. Sam is called to investigate a murder and he is stunned at the sight of the body: he’s seen this exact same grisly injuries before. Last night, in a drug addled haze, he stumbled across a corpse with the same ritualistic injuries. It seems like there’s a deranged killer on the loose. Unfortunately for Sam, the corpse was in an opium den and revealing his presence there could cost him his career. With the aid of his quick-witted Indian Sergeant, Surrender-not Banerjee, Sam must try to solve the two murders, all the while keeping his personal demons secret, before somebody else turns up dead. (less)

I loved the first book and the second book in this series. I loved this one with Sam's quick dry humor and sweet but incredibly smart Surrender-not as his side kick. I am thrilled to see that there is a fourth book in this series which I will definitely be adding to my queue.

Saturday, December 12, 2020

All Rivers Flow To The Sea by Alison McGhee

 My rating: 4.7


Two sisters are in a car accident. Ivy ends up in a coma in the hospital and Rose is expected to go back to school, laughing with her friends and have her life resume as if nothing happened. How can she when Ivy is in the hospital?

The writing is simple and yet captures so much. This is a heartwrenching, honest look at grief. I cried at the end. I have read one other book by McGhee that I gave 5 stars to and I can't wait to read more by her.

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Dare

My Rating: 3.7


Adunni is a fourteen-year-old Nigerian girl who knows what she wants an education. This, her mother has told her, is the only way to get a “louding voice”—the ability to speak for herself and decide her own future. But instead, Adunni's father sells her to be the third wife of a local man who is eager for her to bear him a son and heir. From there, things go from bad to worse until she has a 'fairy godmother' intercede on her behalf.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I felt that the broken English style varied between endearing to grating but, worse it was inconsistent. There were times when Adunni could barely string together a complete sentence with her broken English and times when she was down right poetic. I have heard/seen her story of a poor girl wanting to get an education while her parents were wanting to marry her off many times. That was all this book offered except the fairy godmother who swooped in to help rescue her. With the writing being somewhat grating and inconsistent and nothing more to the plot, I may be in the minority saying that, this will not be for everyone.





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Monday, November 30, 2020

The Outliers by Kimberly McCreight

 My Rating: 4.7

Wylie hasn’t heard from Cassie in over a week, not since their last fight. But that doesn’t matter. Cassie’s in trouble, so Wylie decides to do what she has done so many times before: save her best friend from herself. This time it’s different, though. Instead of telling Wylie where she is, Cassie sends cryptic clues. And instead of having Wylie come by herself, Jasper shows up saying Cassie sent him to help. Trusting the guy who sent Cassie off the rails doesn’t feel right, but Wylie has no choice but to ignore her gut instinct and go with him.

I read The Good Marriage by this author and enjoyed it so that is what made me pick this one up. I think this was even better! I could tell it was Young Adult but, it was well written. The perfect suspense thriller to curl up with on a chilly night. Love the build up of suspense, the characters and the short chapters that kept me flipping the pages for more. I was thrilled to find that this is a series so I am hoping the library will have the second book in this series. In the meantime, I am going to definitely read more by McCreight.

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Bookmarks Magazine Nov/Dec 2020

 I LOVE getting my Bookmarks magazine. It is truly something I look forward to and get so happy when I see it in my mailbox. This month has some good recommendations. Here are the ones I picked:

How did I not know that Fredrick Backman had a new book out!!! This is one of the many reasons that I love Bookmarks!

        

I already have summer on my Kindle so may need to move it (and Autumn and Winter) up in my queue

 

I actually just started reading this one:

 

  

Let me know what you are reading!

Friday, October 30, 2020

No Exit by Taylor Adams

 My Rating: 4.9

Darby is driving in a horrific winter storm to see her dying mother. She is lucky to make it into a truck stop, along with four other strangers, to wait out the storm. As she is walking through the parking lot, she sees into a back of a van where there is a young girl trapped in an animal cage!  Who is the girl? Which of the four people in the rest stop drives that van? How can Darby rescue the girl?


Agh, the suspense! This had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. Such a sense of dread was perfect for this spooky time of year. With short chapters and so much suspense, this is another one you shouldn't read if you have to be up early in the morning.

Thursday, October 29, 2020

The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels

My Rating: 4.9

Robin has spent most of her life running from her past. She thought she'd finally found sanctuary in her rather unremarkable used bookstore just up the street from the marina in River City, Michigan. But the store is struggling and the past is hot on her heels. 


This book opens with "Now" when Robin wakes up on the day her Father is sentenced to be executed and unfolds from there. It flashes back to "Then" when she is a teenager and she has to move in with her Grandmother and her feisty parrot "The Professor". I thought the writing was beautiful without being ostentatious or distracting. The perfect pitch was hit between feeling for Robin and also wondering what had/was going on. Fabulous read. I also loved this author's last book We Hope For Better Things. Erin - you need to write faster!

Saturday, October 24, 2020

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

 My Rating: 4.8


Lakshmi is a soft after Henna Artist in 1950's Jaipur. Not only does she have beautiful intricate unique designs but, she keeps secrets as well as gives advice and potions to help her rich clientele.

This well written story flowed beautifully. I loved all the characters, the story line and the plot twists. I would definitely recommend as well as read more by this author.

Sunday, October 18, 2020

A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight

 My Rating: 4.8


Lawyer, Lizzie Kitsakis works a lot of hours. Until recently, she was doing her dream job of being an underpaid federal prosecutor but, thanks to her husband, she had to sell her soul to the Corporate law firm of Young & Crane. She is working late at night and gets a call from an old college friend, Zach Grayson, who tells her he is in an inmate at Rikers. Zach is desperate: his wife, Amanda, has been found dead at the in their Brooklyn brownstone and Zach is the primary suspect.

I do NOT recommend this book if you have to but up in the morning. I literally kept reading thinking "one more chapter". It kept me thoroughly engaged. I loved the legal aspects, the character development, the twists and turns and most of all, the not knowing!!!  Don't read too much about it. Just get it....when you can stay up late reading till you are done 😁

Saturday, October 10, 2020

Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner

 My Rating: 3.7

Manon Bradshaw is a devoted and respected member of the Cambridgeshire police force, and though she loves her job, what she longs for is a personal life. Single and distant from her family, she wants a husband and children of her own. One night, after yet another disastrous Internet date, she turns on her police radio to help herself fall asleep—and receives an alert that sends her to a puzzling crime scene. 

Edith Hind—a beautiful graduate student at Cambridge University and daughter of the surgeon to the Royal Family—has been missing for nearly twenty-four hours. Her home offers few clues: a smattering of blood in the kitchen, her keys and phone left behind, the front door ajar but showing no signs of forced entry. Manon instantly knows that this case will be big—and that every second is crucial to finding Edith alive. 

The investigation starts with Edith’s loved ones: her attentive boyfriend, her reserved best friend, her patrician parents. As the search widens and press coverage reaches a frenzied pitch, secrets begin to emerge about Edith’s tangled love life and her erratic behavior leading up to her disappearance. With no clear leads, Manon summons every last bit of her skill and intuition to close the case, and what she discovers will have shocking consequences not just for Edith’s family but for Manon herself.

I enjoyed this but, it went in to far too much detail of each character and the story felt bogged down. I didn't care for most of the characters. As much as it dragged on, I felt that the ending had these sudden convenient things thrown in so they could wrap it all up in a bow. The writing was good enough that I read it till the end but the story needed and editor.

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Titans by Leila Meicham

 My Rating: 4.6

Texas in the early 1900's. twins Samantha and Neal are born. The mother insists she can only keep one. The father makes the difficult decision and Samantha is whisked away for adoption. The story continues from there of the different paths of Samantha and Neal as well as their parents.

While the good and bad characters were a bit too obviously laid out - to the point where I wasn't sure if the author thought the reader wasn't very bright. I still enjoyed this wholesome read. Meicham captured the quaint period of time, ranching and Texas ranch life very well. 

Sunday, September 20, 2020

It's Always The Husband by Michele Campbell

My Rating: 4.7

Kate, Aubrey and Jenny are inseparable as college roommates – friends who promised they’d always be there for each other. But twenty years later, their friendship is about to take a deadly turn.



I enjoyed getting to know the three girls and their different backgrounds. When it first transitioned to "twenty years later" it took me a chapter or so to adjust but then I got right back in to it. This was a fun thriller that I didn't have figured out till the very end.

Saturday, September 12, 2020

A Necessary Evil by Abir Mukherjee Book #2

 My Rating: 4.9

In this sequel, Captain Sam Wydnham and Sergeant Banerjee of the Calcutta Police Force investigate the dramatic assassination of a Maharajah's son.


I am really enjoying this series. The writing is fabulous and I love that "India" is a character of it's own. As much as this is a detective novel, it also has me chuckling at several points. Very well done and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Enjoy Your Journey by Joyce Meyer

 My Rating: 5.0

Do you ever think "I will be happen when....". You will learn such lessons as how to make the decision to enjoy life, how to rid yourself of regret, how to experience simplicity in life, how to find joy during times of waiting, and much more! Enjoying life is an attitude of the heart, and you can learn how to enjoy where you are on the way to where you are going.



I consider myself an optimistic person so I wasn't sure if I would glean much from this book. I definitely did - things from working too hard to our expectations of other people. As usual, Joyce had a lot of gems that made me look at things differently.

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

We Hope For Better Things by Erin Bartelo

 My Rating: 4.6

Three stories in the same house: one set in the late 1800's, one in the 1960's and one in current day. Elizabeth Balsam meets James Rich, his strange request--that she look up a relative she didn't know she had in order to deliver an old camera and a box of photos--seems like it isn't worth her time. But when she loses her job after a botched investigation, she suddenly finds herself with nothing but time.


I don't care for books that are about current events and was concerned that this would be too close to things going on in our world. Thankfully, it only had a bit on it and covered it from a good angle.  I really enjoyed the tie in of the various events and the characters perspectives in the different generations.

Monday, August 31, 2020

Bookmarks Magazine Sept/Oct 2020

I don't know if it just me but, when horrible things are going on in the world, that is the last thing I want to read about so, Bookmarks having their focus on "pandemics" this month felt wrong. I skipped that whole section which limited the books that I did pick out.

Here are the books that I have added to my queue:


      

      


    

Let me know if you are like me and read to escape or if you will be reading some of their recommended Pandemic books?

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Simplify: Ten Practices To Unclutter Your Soul by Bill Hybels

My Rating: 5.0


Exhausted. Overwhelmed. Overscheduled. Sound familiar? What if your life could be different? What if you could be certain you were living the life God called you to live―and building a legacy for those you love? If you crave a simpler life anchored by the priorities that matter most, roll up your sleeves: Simplified living requires more than just cleaning out your closets or reorganizing your desk drawer. It requires uncluttering your soul. By eradicating the stuff that leaves your spirit drained, you can stop doing what doesn’t matter―and start doing what does.


Let me start that I am not a fan of the Marie Kondo method and I will never be a minimalist. That being said, this book for prioritizing the focus  and simplifying of your soul was excellent! It covers everything from Family, Work, Exercise, Friendships and more. He tells stories to enhance the point and get you to understand how you can apply these techniques to prioritize your life.

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

My Rating: 4.8

Thursday’s husband, Seth, has two other wives. She’s never met them, and she doesn’t know anything about them. She agreed to this unusual arrangement because she’s so crazy about him. But one day, she finds something. Something that tells a very different—and horrifying—story about the man she married.


This kept me entertained all the way through. Towards the end I was continually guessing and many things didn't fall in to place till very close to the end. Loved the twists!

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Good Girl, Bad Girl by Michael Robotham

My Rating: 3.7

Evie was hiding in a room when a crime happened. She is in a secure child facility and petitioning to be released. She looks like she could be 12 or 15 but claims to be 18. Adult, forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven must determine if Evie is ready to go free.

Cyrus is also called in to investigate the shocking murder of a high school figure-skating champion, Jodie Sheehan, who dies on a lonely footpath close to her home.


Despite excellent writing, this didn't grab me. The characters felt shallow. I also felt that a lot of the book dragged out too long and then the ending felt rushed. I don't know if I will continue reading this series or not.

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Rising Man - Sam Wyndham #1 by Abir Muhkerjee

My Rating: 4.9

Captain Sam Wyndham, former Scotland Yard detective, is a new arrival to Calcutta. Desperately seeking a fresh start after his experiences during the Great War, Wyndham has been recruited to head up a new post in the police force. A senior British official has been murdered, and a note left in his mouth warns the British to quit India: or else. With rising political dissent and the stability of the Raj under threat, Wyndham and his two new colleagues–arrogant Inspector Digby, who can barely conceal his contempt for the natives and British-educated, but Indian-born Sargeant Banerjee, one of the few Indians to be recruited into the new CID–embark on an investigation that will take them from the luxurious parlours of wealthy British traders to the seedy opium dens of the city.



This brilliantly written novel not only built out the characters of Sam, Digby and Surrender-Not (loved him!) but also of the British rule in India. I loved how India was it's own character brought to life with all it's glories and flaws - including the sects/classes. I am not usually big on detective/mystery novels but this was so enjoyable that I can't wait to read more books in this series.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Verity by Colleen Hoover

My Rating: 3.0

Lowen is a struggling writer who's mother just died at home with hospice. Jeremy Crawford is the husband of the best selling author Verity Crawford. Lowen is offered a deal to complete the remaining books in a contract his permanently injured wife is unable to fulfill  Lowen goes to the Crawford home to sort through Verity's chaotic office searching for notes to write the next book and stumbles across Verity's autobiography that reveals things that would crush Jeremy.


This has all the cliches like "she had no choice" and of course the plot line had Lowen falling for Jeremy. Combine that with a completely implausible story line - why would Jeremy select a struggling writer to complete his wife's best selling series - really?. It was REALLY hard to go along with all the many implausibilities of this. It was just so far fetched from the very beginning and got worse. I finished it, and won't get that time back. Definitely do not recommend.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Someone We Know by Shari Lapena

My Rating: 4.6

This starts with a mom trying to wake up her teenage son. On his bedside table, his locked phone lights up with a text asking if he broke into a house last night before it goes dark. She is stunned. Another text lights up asking him if he got anything good. She wakes up her son in outraged anger and so unfolds this page turner.


This was a light easy read that kept me guessing of "who done it" right up until the end. A fun light thriller read.

Sunday, July 12, 2020

A Spool Of Blue Thread by Ann Tyler

My Rating: 3.5

Abby & Red met in 1959. They went on to get married and have four grown children. Like all families, they have many moments of laughter, tears, jealousy and love. This captures it all.



Not only do you get to know Abby, Red and their four children but, you also know their house, and their parents. The many nuances that go into a family. This was interesting but, not a must read. If you want a similar book that I think was a stellar story line and character development I highly recommend The Most Fun We Ever Had

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

My Time With God by Joyce Meyers

My Rating: 4.8

Over the course of three years, Joyce Meyer recorded in her journal the personal devotions and inspirations that guided her busy life. Those writings comprise MY TIME WITH GOD, the 365-day devotional that shares powerful insight into Joyce's spiritual reflections and journey.


I like that this includes personal stories from Joyce's life that made it relatable. Each devotional is only a page or two and perfect to leave you with something to think on for that day.

Monday, July 6, 2020

All the Ways We Said Goodbye by Beatriz Williiams, Lauren Willig & Karen White

My Rating: 4.0

1914 France - Auriele is trapped with her father on the wrong side of the front when the Germans take over their ancestral estate

1942 France - Marguerite "Daisy" is raised by her grandmother in the Ritz Hotel in Paris.

1964 France - Barbara "Babs' Langford" husband Kit has died. She goes back to the Ritz to meet an American lawyer in hopes of finding out more of her husband's love "La Fleur" from the war.


It well could have been my mindset when I read this but for me, the characters and time periods all ran together making me not care about the outcome. 

Thursday, July 2, 2020

Bookmarks Magazine July/August

What better way to kick off the long weekend than getting my July/August edition of Bookmarks - yeah!!! As alwys, this had a lot of potential great reads in it that I can't wait to get to.

One of their featured authors was Paulette Jiles. I adored "News of the World" so put a few more of her books into my queue:


      



These are by other authors and sounded really intriguing to me:
        
     


I don't typically like non-ficttion but this sounded really good in the reviews:


I almost didn't add this one to my queue as it sounded too much like current events! Apparently the author handles it with lighthearted wit so, we shall see.

 


Monday, June 29, 2020

If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha

My Rating: 4.4

Kyuri is an achingly beautiful woman with a hard-won job at a Seoul “room salon,” an exclusive underground bar where she entertains businessmen while they drink.

Miho, is Kyuris roomate. She is a talented artist who grew up in an orphanage but won a scholarship to study art in New York.

Ara lives down the hall and is a hairstylist whose two preoccupations sustain her: an obsession with a boy-band pop star, and a best friend who is saving up for the extreme plastic surgery that she hopes will change her life.

Wonna lives one floor below, and is a newlywed trying to have a baby that she and her husband have no idea how they can afford to raise in Korea’s brutal economy.


I almost stopped reading this as it was so superficial and all about how these girls looked. I stuck with it and found myself drawn into the Korean world of these four women. Before long, I found it flowing seamlessly until the wonderful ending.

Monday, June 15, 2020

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

My Rating: 4.9

This daily devotional is one that I find hits closest to home for me with it's messages. It is written from the perspective of Jesus talking directly to you. While some folks don't care for that, it felt completely natural and comfortable to me. I also feel that of all the devotionals that I read, this one most often has a message that resonates with me and I reflect back on throughout the day.












Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Bookmarks Magazine May/June 2020

It has been way too long since I have had time to sit down and devour my favorite Bookmarks Magazine. This is the only magazine subscription I have and I would never want to be without it. It is my source for almost all of the books I read and it is fabulous.

This month's issue featured quite a few 'dark' novels including a feature of the amazing Italian author Elena Ferrante. As always, I am going to come back and browse the magazine again and may add some of her books as well a few others to my ever growing queue. Right now though, I am not sure that I am in a place for uncomfortable dark novels. Even without picking the darker novels, there are 12 novels below that I have put in my queue and can't wait to read!

Please share either any picks I missed below or, just really good books that you would recommend. Thanks and I hope you are having lot of time to read great books. Here are my picks for this month.


      


      


      




Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Nothing To See Here by Kevin Wilson

My Rating: 4.8

Unlikely roommates, Lillian and Madison, become inseparable friends at their boarding school. Then Lillian has to unexpected leave the school and they haven't spoken since the scandal. Then Lillian gets a letter from Madison and they become penpals. Madison asks her to come help her. Lillian decides to go not knowing what "help" Madison wants until she gets there. Madison wants Lillian to care for her two step-children


A VERY unique book. This was extremely well written, funny and irreverent and completely loveable. My only complain is this book was far too short!

Thursday, May 14, 2020

The Prayer of Jabez Devotional

My Rating: 5.0

You could call them God's fingerprints. Suddenly you're seeing them all over your life. Unexplainable encounters. Little miracles. Big answers to simple requests that only recently you wouldn't have had the courage to utter.


This book intrigued me but, little could I have imagined not only the results of this book but, the strengthening of my connection to God. I started praying differently and, as it says, I suddenly started seeing God's fingerprints everywhere in my life. Such a powerful book and I loved how short the chapters were so I could read a chapter a day and digest it. This will definitely be one I read again and again.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

My Rating: 3.4

This is the sequel to the dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale.



This had Atwood's wonderful writing but somehow was lacking. This sequel to the Gilead somehow took away from the original. IMO, it detracted from the original book and was not needed.

Saturday, April 25, 2020

The Book of Polly by Kathy Hepinstall

My Rating: 4.8

Ten year old Willow is concerned that her mother will die.Her mother, Polly, was in her late 50's when Willow was born and is a cantankerous, take-no-prisoners Southern woman. She lives to shoot varmints, drink margaritas, and antagonize the neighbors--and she sticks out like a sore thumb among the young, modern mothers of their small conventional Texas town. Willow becomes obsessed with knowing more about her mother...including her secrets from before Willow was born.


This quirky book had me laughing out loud. I enjoyed Polly's no holds barred sarcasim and Willow was so sweet. Definitely recommend the audio book as the voices were very well done. It is described as "For readers of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, Joshilyn Jackson, and Fannie Flagg, with a touch of Terms of Endearment", and I would say that is a very apt description - you definitely have to be a fan of Southern cute novels to enjoy this. Delightful!

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

An Elephant In My Kitchen by Françoise Malby-Anthony

My Rating: 4.8

A blonde, chic Parisienne, Francoise never expected to find herself living on a South African game reserve. But when she fell in love with renowned conservationist Lawrence Anthony her life took an unexpected turn.


This recounts some of the same stories as were told in her husband's book but, she tells it from her perspective which has more heart. As the book progresses, she also covers many events that weren't covered in her husband's book. An absolutely delightful read!


Sunday, April 19, 2020

The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony

My Rating: 4.9

Anthony has a wildgame preserve in African called Thula Thula. When he gets a call to take in a rogue herd, he was tempted to refuse but, if he didn't take them they would be shot. As the years unfold, he becomes part of the elephant's family and vice versa. They teach him so many heartwarming lessons.


I don't normally care for non-fiction but, when a trusted girlfriend told me I HAD to read this, I got it and didn't regret it. This was the perfect book to provide a fabulous distraction. By the end of it, I wanted to have my own elephant herd! I am off to read his wife's sequel to this book.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Lost Girls by Heather Young

My Rating: 4.6

At a remote Minnesota lake in 1935, six year old Emily disappears from her family's vacation home. Her disappearance destroys the family—her father commits suicide, and her mother and two older sisters, Sixty years later, when the last sister Lucy dies she leaves the lakehouse to.her great-niece Justine.


This is told in alternating voices - Lucy back in 1930's and current day through Justine. It was hauntingly beautiful and captured so much. I will definitely read more by this author.

Sunday, April 12, 2020

Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout

My Rating: 3.0

Olive struggles to understand not only herself, but the lives of those around her in her own frank and abrupt way in 13 interconnected vignettes. Olive lost her husband several years ago and she is now being wooed by retired Harvard professor, Jack Kennison, 74. Jack reflected that kissing Olive, 73, was like kissing a barnacle-covered whale. He doesn’t know why he loves Olive, but he just does.


I enjoyed this but not near as much as the first book. With Olive Kittridge her quirkiness was endearing and your heart went out to her. With Oliva, Again she was so sad and unlikeable. There were also a lot offensive stereotypes that the book would have been better off without. Rather than feeling connected with Olive, the book went on far too long and felt tedious. 

Sunday, March 29, 2020

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary

My Rating:4.6

Tiffy and Leon share an apartment. Tiffy and Leon have never met.After a bad breakup, Tiffy Moore needs a place to live. Fast. And cheap. But the apartments in her budget have her wondering if astonishingly colored mold on the walls counts as art. Desperation makes her open minded, so she answers an ad for a flatshare. Leon, a night shift worker, will take the apartment during the day, and Tiffy can have it nights and weekends. He’ll only ever be there when she’s at the office. In fact, they’ll never even have to meet. Tiffy and Leon start writing each other notes – first about what day is garbage day, and politely establishing what leftovers are up for grabs, and the question of whether the toilet seat should stay up or down. Even though they are opposites, they soon become friends. And then maybe more.


This was a light, fluffy, easy romance with a few twists - and absolutely the perfect antidote to these crazy times! I loved Tiffy and Leon and the varying chapters told in each of their voices. The audio version was excellent.

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin

My Rating: 3.9

Zadie and Emma have been best friends since their early 20's when they were in medical school. Now, Zadie is a pediatric cardiologist and Emma is a trauma surgeon and they are both married with children.

In college, Zadie and Nick Xenokostas (Dr X) had a wild affair as well as professional turmoil.  Now, Dr X has resurfaced and is working with Emma. As it becomes evident that Emma must have known more than she revealed about circumstances that nearly derailed both their lives, Zadie starts to question everything she thought she knew about her closest friend


What others loved about this book grated on me - Zadie was a little too quirky and upbeat for me to buy in to her being a doctor. She seemed almost ditzy and 'flounced' around. The writing was good but the ditzy humor and the serious medical situations just didn't meld for me. It may well have been the audio version that exaggerated the perkiness and reading this may have had a more palatable feel.

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

My Rating: 3.4

1n 1946, Cyril buys an extravagant mansion and presents it to his wife Elna. Elna hates it and eventually runs away to serve the poor, leaving behind her children Maeve and Danny. Five years later, Cyril remarries to Andrea who, eventually puts Maeve and Danny out on the streets penniless.


This is told in flashbacks through Danny. It is sad how Danny and Maeve can never seem to let go of the past and move on. Although I adore Patchett's writing, I wasn't enthralled with the characters or the story-line.

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

My Rating: 3.2


This starts with Rowan writing to a lawyer from prison, trying to explain the events that led up to her incarceration in a please for him to take her case. She flashes back to her taking a job in a remote house in Scotland as a nanny with how it all led up to her being convicted of murdering one of the children.


Like all these "thriller" books you have to suspend logic and just go with it. The fact that she is writing to her lawyer and it is a whole book - ummm, no. You are inside the main characters mind and it is a very scary place to be....filled with self doubt, suspicion and paranoia <insert spooky music>. This does get tiresome but, if you can just "go with it" this is a typical thriller. Nothing that will ever win a Nobel Prize but, it passes the time

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal

My Rating: 3.7


When their father leaves their shared inheritance entirely to Helen, her sister Edith struggles to make a living. So she can't help wondering what her life would have been like with even a portion of the farm money her sister kept for herself. While Helen builds a successful craft brewery, Helen struggles with baking pies and taking a variety of jobs.

This is a heartwarming, Midwestern story of the lives of the two sisters as well as brewing beer. The humor was cute and at the heart of it all, was the message of family. The accents on the audio were well done but got a bit old after a while.

Sunday, February 9, 2020

Everything Inside by Edwidge Danticat

My Rating: 3.0

Short stories with the tie being Haiti. They are all set in Port Au Prince, other Caribbean countries or Miami with the people being from Haiti.


Don't let my rating put you off of this book. It is extremely well written and each story captures so much. I am just not a fan of short stories and wanted each one to continue on. If you like short stories, you should enjoy this.

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Next Year In Havana by Chanel Cleeton

My Rating: 3.5

After the death of her beloved grandmother, Marisol travels to Cuba where she unearths her family's identity. This flashes back and forth in time between Marisol in modern day Cuba and her grandmother Elisa back in the 1950's.


While the history of Cuba was interesting, at times it felt like being in school and being bombarded with too many dry facts.There was also a lot of fluffy romance and not a lot of character development. 

Sunday, February 2, 2020

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

My Rating: 5.0

This starts with a young boy at his cousins quincenara. He is the bathroom going pee when a bullet whips by his head. He barely has time to register what has happened when his mother comes in and pushes him down to the ground covering him with her body. When the shooting stops and the voices of the three men they heard are gone, all 16 of their family members are dead. They know they will be next and have to leave immediately. This is the beginning of their fleeing and this entrancing book.


I have just read my first "Best Of" book for 2020. The sad news is, it is going to be the bar I measure all other books against and it will be tough to beat. Wow. Jeanine Cummins captures so much in her phrasing - not only of the characters but of the landscape, the emotions and the journey. This was a gripping read that I didn't want to end. I will definitely be reading others by this author. Tip: start this book when you can be up way late, as you won't be able to put this down. 

Monday, January 27, 2020

My Name Is Memory by Ann Brashares

My Rating: 4.2

Daniel has spent centuries falling in love with the same girl. Life after life, crossing continents and dynasties, he and Sophia (despite her changing name and form) have been drawn together-and he remembers it all. From 552 Asia Minor to 1918 England and 1972 Virginia, the two souls share a long and sometimes torturous path of seeking each other time and time again. But just when young Sophia (now "Lucy" in the present) finally begins to awaken to the secret of their shared past, to understand the true reason for the strength of their attraction, the mysterious force that has always torn them apart reappears.


This won't be everyone's cup of tea but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved how Lucy's voice, in current day, was constant and that Daniel was the one who flashed back to the previous lives and filled in their history. If you enjoy time travel, multiple life types of books, or want to believe in reconnecting in the next life with a love, then you will love this.