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! 

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.