Absorbing. Riveting. When I say I could not put Veritas down, I truly mean it. The manner in which Sabar chose to organize and unfold this story is maAbsorbing. Riveting. When I say I could not put Veritas down, I truly mean it. The manner in which Sabar chose to organize and unfold this story is masterful, constantly keeping me asking, why, why would a person fall for this, do this, and as the chapters passed, that question was surely answered. Interweaved are so many surprising (sometimes shocking) details about the persons at the center of the tale, I sometimes shouted out to my husband. The religious-feminist-philosophical underpinnings of the Professor are also fascinating and thought provoking, as well as the politics of Harvard. I have and will continue to recommend this impressive work of investigative reporting. ...more
Nothing I say here could ever express how heartbreakingly gorgeous every single page of this book is—-it is among my top five favorites of all time. INothing I say here could ever express how heartbreakingly gorgeous every single page of this book is—-it is among my top five favorites of all time. I want it to win all the awards. I do not re-read any books, except Love in the Time of Cholera, and now, Migrations. ...more
This is one of the best true crime books I have ever read. That’s on top of American Predator, which I did not think could be topped (and is still a mThis is one of the best true crime books I have ever read. That’s on top of American Predator, which I did not think could be topped (and is still a mega 5 star for me). As compelling as John Carreyrou’s Bad Blood, We Keep The Dead Close kept me enthralled and reading very late. I am blown away with how Cooper chose to organize this book, and I think it should be used as a model. If you don’t know this story, or the resolution, do yourself a favor and don’t Google it. Go in cold and just trust that Cooper is going to dole out the facts in a masterful way. But beyond all of that, I heap on another five stars with the expert way she painted Jane for us. She gave us Jane in all her wonderful colors, and I came to love her and feel the grief of her friends and family. Her brother Boyd was a separate character arc for me, and there is a poignant scene at the close of his presence in this book that brought me to tears. I hope Cooper continues in her special mix of compelling investigative reporting with the care she gives the victims, how she presents their humanity. I would read anything she writes....more
Astonishing. Gorgeous and meaningful verse. Inspires great emotion and empathy. I’m floored by how much time, talent, and magic it took to put togetheAstonishing. Gorgeous and meaningful verse. Inspires great emotion and empathy. I’m floored by how much time, talent, and magic it took to put together this necessary set of poems. Brava. ...more
Read this like I was on fire in one day. Definitely one of the most gripping thrillers I’ve read of late. Dionne, as in Marsh King’s Daughter, excels Read this like I was on fire in one day. Definitely one of the most gripping thrillers I’ve read of late. Dionne, as in Marsh King’s Daughter, excels at vivid atmosphere, and nail biting tension. Here, we are IN the Upper Pennisula, this time in a somewhat gothic gargantuan lodge, that itself is compelling. The main character is so absolutely wonderful, and I have to say, I just want to thank Dionne for her fearlessness I’m including some excellent magical realism aspects, in just the right dose and perfectly. Absolutely loved this book and am recommending it to all. ...more
This book is relentless on suspense. No brakes, no coffee breaks, no belabored backstories or conversations. Just straight high-octane suspense. CouldThis book is relentless on suspense. No brakes, no coffee breaks, no belabored backstories or conversations. Just straight high-octane suspense. Couldn’t put it down. ...more
Wow. Could not stop reading this electrifying, sometimes shocking memoir. I cried throughout the entire end. Brodeur is a master at atmosphere and sceWow. Could not stop reading this electrifying, sometimes shocking memoir. I cried throughout the entire end. Brodeur is a master at atmosphere and scene setting, and I felt fully IN Cape Cod, in their Boston suburb mansion, in NYC, in San Diego. I felt the sun. Smelled the salt. And Brodeur does throughout this amazing story what I want in all books of all genres, she gives gives gives all the wonderful sensory aspects of food. The sizzle and smell of garlic frying in butter, so on. So many examples. I seriously love this book, which is both beautiful and heartbreaking. I would read anything written by Brodeur, with hopes she turns her immeasurable talents to a full length fiction should she wish. This will make my 2020 Top Reads for sure, and it’s already a shoe-in for the select few that make it into my year end dinner of top reads for close friends. It’s that good....more
I started Keto in October (2019) to address a chronic inflammation issue, low energy, and overall concentration. I’ll be damned if it absolutely workeI started Keto in October (2019) to address a chronic inflammation issue, low energy, and overall concentration. I’ll be damned if it absolutely worked in all those areas. I picked up Suzanne’s book recently to help motivate me to dig in even deeper and learn new recipes. I very much liked Suzanne’s attitude and approach. She is very encouraging, non-judgmental, and most importantly, she presents a welcoming, non-intimidating mindset to Keto. Pretty much all of the recipes are ones I’ll try. I already tried the snickerdoodles and they’re fabulous. Highly recommend if you’re considering or already in Keto....more
First off, I wish you could see my copy so you could to see my fingerprint evidence of me hanging on to this book for dear life. Leave it to Jennifer First off, I wish you could see my copy so you could to see my fingerprint evidence of me hanging on to this book for dear life. Leave it to Jennifer Hillier to make my flights to and from DC fly by too fast, so fast, I had to read while walking to baggage claim. ALL of the characters in this wonderful thriller are so masterfully complex. All of them, every single one, do bad things and good things and inexplicable things and things you want to hug them for and things you want to punch them in the gut for. They are so very very human, humans dealing with big time stuff. Honestly, it was a masterclass in writing complex characters. Especially the women characters. The scenery is fabulous and I felt I was IN Pike Place market, in Marin’s craftsman style home, in a winery, in a bar, in a hair salon. LIKE I WAS REALLY TRANSPORTED to all these cool ass places. Hillier ratchets up the tension so perfectly perfect. By the end, I wasn’t breathing. I was talking out loud on the plane and didn’t give a flip about my seat mate. I was like, “No no no no, go go go go, omg omg omg.” Yeah. And I challenge anyone to read chapter 13 and not feel every single possible emotion about this one female character. Like, every single one. Friggin fantastic. Hillier knocks it out of the park again. 5 Big Fat Stars. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️...more