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2017 Lists
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Nan's 2017 Books
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99. The Wright Brothers by David McCulloughHow could I not love reading about the Wright Brothers? And in such detail...even more than I knew having lived in the state of Ohio all my life (and lived in the Dayton area for 30+ years, often passing Huffman Prairie and visiting Carillon Park* where a Wright Flyer among other Dayton history resides).
McCullough brings to life these two men (Orville and Wilbur Wright) and their commitment to powered flight despite all odds. He also brings their sister Katherine into prominence. Further, their father and the rest of the family are not ignored.
Frankly, McCullough brings history to life with details (or is just that the brothers Wright were so meticulous in documenting everything through letters and notes?). For those who think they know all about these men, check out this one. I, for one, was surprised by how much I didn't know about their struggles to recognition for their plane and their day to day existence here and abroad.
Quotes: "If I were giving a young man advice as to how to he might succeed in life, I would say to him, pick out a good father and mother, and begin life in Ohio." Wilbur Wright
And that, I believe, says it all!
* if in Dayton, Ohio...Carillon Park is worth visiting...from exhibits of the Wright Brothers to Charles Kettering and so much more.
100. Public Library and Other Stories by Ali Smith3.5 stars actually--Alternating the author's short stories with various people's perceptions of the power of libraries to change lives, this collection showcases the essential nature of libraries especially in a time of funding cuts and closures.
Although most of the libraries mentioned are British, the same is true for libraries everywhere. Libraries provides more than just books. As Sophie Mayer indicated: "...the public library is the ideal model of society, the best possible shared space, a community of consent...where each person is pursuing their own aim (education, entertainment, affect, rest) with respect to others, through the best possible medium of the transmission of ideas, feelings, and knowledge: the book." (page 75)
The short stories are varied, some appealed to this reader more than others, but all were generally literary in nature. The story of the Traveling Etymologies (about the meanings of certain words and how they came about) called "Last" was a particular favorite; as was "The Ex-Wife."
Overall, those snippets of conversation about libraries and their effect upon the people were some of the most compelling aspects of the book.
Quotes: "I believe that within every library is a door that opens to every other library in time and space: that door is a book." (page 75)
"...that the important thing about the notion of a public library is that's it's the one place you can just turn up to, a free space, a democratic space where anyone can go and be there with other people, and you don't need money-...And you can just go. It's somewhere you can just be." (page 58)
101. The Girl in the Spider's Web by David LagercrantzA bit slow to start (Lisbeth Salander doesn't appear for about the first third of the novel, and frankly, she is the most compelling character in the series) this suspense thriller continues the series begun by Stieg Larsson. Now written by David Lagercrantz, the reporter Mikael Blomkvist and the hacker Lisbeth Salander return in a case of a murder of a scientist and the protection of his autistic savant son.
Cyber criminals abound, wreaking havoc, and alphabet organizations are being hacked. What do they all have in common? The formidable pair of Salander and Blomkvist. Can they root out the criminals before they become the target?
Lagercrantz does a decent job in taking up where Larsson left off. It couldn't have been easy stepping into the previous author's shoes. Especially considering how iconic the series rapidly became...with the additional factor of the untimely death and controversy over the will.
102. The World According to Bob by James Bowen3.5 stars actually--What can I say? I am a cat lover, but even if I weren't, it would be hard to dislike Bob. He's smart; he's instinctive; he's loyal; he's all that and more...and he provides James with more love and affection than almost any human the man has known. As the author says, "Bob's my soulmate."
This memoir continues the story begun in A Street Cat Named Bob. Yes, like its predecessor, it is as much about James as it is Bob, but Bob is always the focus. James continues his life on the streets busking, selling "The Big Issue," and now trying to stay clean of the drugs that once ruled his life.
Love the drawings that accompany each chapter as well.
103. There's Something About Her by Z.L. ArkadieA contemporary romance that features a brilliant girl-next-door, Maggie Conroy, and handsome entrepreneur Vincent Adams. They cross paths at her cousin Jack's wedding to Daisy, but she doesn't even notice him except to assume he is watching one of best friends.
When the pair meet at her new job, sparks ignite, but there are complications involved. Will they get together or will other people stop at nothing to destroy a budding love?
104. Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan StradalLars Thorvald has three loves: his kitchen, his wife Cynthia, and his infant daughter Eva, and this is their story. Unfortunately, his wife leaves Eva and Lars for wine. Actually, it is the story of the impact of food upon people especially Eva. Each chapter moves the action toward an exclusive dinner for foodies. A dinner that includes sweet pepper jelly, walleye, golden bantam corn, and more.
This debut novel has a story arc that wraps up like a Mobius strip. With a satisfying ending, sort of. With a heartbreaking ending, sort of. Some poignant moments, some hilarious moments, and some moments that seem unrelated until the Mobius strip twists and brings clarity.
Loss of a star because of Oxycontin section from this nit-picking pharmacist...no, Oxycontin can NOT be refilled. Each prescription can only be filled once with NO refills, and requires another new prescription.
105. Damage Control by Lisa Renee JonesTwo brother, one chess game...who will win?
This is a continuation of the first novel (read it first), which finds Emily and Shane learning to trust while family (his and hers) machinations threaten to derail their relationship--and trust. Lies may do them in.
Moreover, the control of the company is also at stake.
Lots of spicy scenes between the pair. There are a few continuity issues as well as typos, bringing it to 4.5 stars. Having mentioned this, they are not so egregious that this reader won't be moving onto the next book in the series.
106. The Fifth Doll by Charlie N. HolmbergAn isolated village, a curious girl, and magic-laced Russian nesting dolls make for a mysterious fantasy novel. Holmberg creates a layered fantasy much like the dolls that control the villagers.
Matrona becomes ensnared when she inadvertently finds shelves of dolls who look like her friends, family, and fellow villagers. Now tasked with taking over from Slava, the maker of the dolls, she will be exposed in various ways as she is forced to open each of her smaller dolls until she gets to the innermost doll.
What is the secret of the fifth doll? What is Slava's secret? And will Matrona figure out what is going on in time?
107. The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colganan out-of-work (through downsizing) librarian buys a van which she turns into a mobile bookshop in Scotland.
108. The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson
One young woman...four separate personalities (Elizabeth, Beth, Betsy, and Bess) residing within is the subject of Jackson's intriguing novel. Madness upon madness in the mind of Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth starts having headaches, her aunt sends her to a psychiatrist, Doctor Wright. His hypnosis sessions reveal several distinct personalities. What caused the multiple personalities? Can he resolve the issue and restore Elizabeth to wholeness?
Not as good as her novel, We Have Always Lived in a Castle.
109. The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael ConnollyHalf read and half listened to an audio book, but this is first in the Mickey Haller series...suspenseful read of a criminal defense lawyer with two ex-wives still in his life, lots of sleazy clients, and maybe, just maybe one innocent man. And evil...true evil.
110. Fly Away by Kristin Hannah
the sequel to Firefly Lane continues the story of Kate and Tully's friendship in the wake of Kate's death. Especially how it impacts Kate's family, especially her daughter Marah, Tully herself, and Tully's mother Cloud/Dorothy. Still poignant, still a tearjerker, less of an impact than the first, but read them both in order for the full story.
111. Die Again by Tess GerritsenAn abridged audio book of the latest of Rizzoli and Isles...trying to solve the murder of a big game hunter.
Switching between various locations (Botswana and Boston), the only remaining member of safari group is the bait to nab the serial killer who hunts men like they are prey. Considered to have died in Botswana, will Millie die again, or will Rizzoli and crew save her first?
Suspenseful read, but would like to read to complete novel.
112. The Second First Time by Elisa Lorello4.5 stars... Finding home...
For Sage, home has always been Long Island with her mother and sister Gaia, especially after her dad divorced her mother and abandoned his daughters. So when she finds out about his death and upcoming memorial service, she calls the man who broke her heart..the man who was her best friend, the man with whom she had decided to go on a cross-country road trip a year ago...until he bailed out on her with a devastating letter.
Jon suggests they give the trip another try, their relationship another try, and also go to the memorial service together. This is the second first time for both, but can they forge a relationship, can they forge a love when one is still reeling from the hurt? And even if the trip is successful, living on separate coasts, can they find where "home" truly is?
This contemporary romance is about letting go of hurts, finding that best friends can also be in love, that sometimes less is more, and home is where the heart is. Writers Jon and Sage deepen their friendship and love on a road trip fraught with emotional potholes.
Not highly graphic, but definitely a romance similar to the kind Sage writes.
113. Last Night with the Duke by Amelia Grey4.5 stars...this historical (regency) romance is a romance between a duke and a governess, who is really the grand-daughter of a viscount. From the moment the Duke of Griffin overhears Esmeralda Swift counsel one of her employees, he is intrigued. He needs to hire a chaperone for Lady Vera's and Lady Sara's, his twin sisters, debut Season, and he decides she is perfect for the job.
Esmeralda, for her part, doesn't want to have anything to do with Polite Society. Having had her mother disowned for a marrying the wrong man (a common poet, can you imagine?) and leaving the family to survive on their own, she throws up every possible roadblock to her employment. Eventually, after his agreement to all of her demands (her younger sister Josephine and dog Napoleon to be included), she reluctantly relents despite the fact he is considered to be one of the Rakes of St. James.
From their first interaction, sparks ignite between the two. Each one knows the etiquette of class, but obvious chemistry simmers throughout with heated gazes, feisty interchanges, and slow sensual scenes. Neither wants to cross the line society has imposed, but will they finally admit their true feelings for each other?
A bit slow to start, the romance does a slow burn until it reaches an inferno. While not full of graphic scenes, this romance is still spicy with the ratcheting sexual tension of two people who want to be together, but can't and won't because of societal mores. This makes for a satisfying read.
Loved the chapter headings of quotes from Miss Mamie Fortescue's Do's and Don'ts for Chaperones, Governesses, Tutors, and Nurses (the manual of the business that Esmeralda Swift manages). People would be wise to follow many of its tenets.
114. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura EsquivelA magical realism romance set in Mexico. A young woman, Tita, is thwarted in love by her mother, Mama Elena, who demands that she take of her all her life. Her love, Pedro, marries her older sister instead. Thus effectively parted, yet the love lingers between the pair. For Tita, it is through her cooking and such magical dishes she creates (the recipes are included) throughout the year. The family's tradition makes for dysfunctional family dynamics, but this only adds to the complexity of the novel.
The book is divided into months with one predominant recipe for each, and woven throughout is Tita's and Pedro's love story. Will they ever get together, or will Mama Elena have the last laugh?
114.5. You Send Me by Toni BlakeSet in the time of the war in Korea, this is a short story romance of a young woman, Millie, being thwarted in her life and career by her father, meets bad boy Johnny while on vacation with her family. He gives her an opportunity to experience life and love, but will her father permit it? Who will she choose? To stay close to home (and family) or to be with the man she had come to love (and start her teaching career)?
Also the edition I read had the prologue and a couple chapters of a novel: All I Want is You
115. A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce CameronA dog and his boy, or how a dog finds his purpose in life. That's the gist of this story of a dog who begins life as a stray mutt, then becomes a beloved pet to a young boy in another life, and on and on.
Each lifetime of the dog, known primarily as Bailey, teaches the dog something new about life. Each lifetime teaches the dog about humans and their emotions while he searches for his ultimate purpose.
The story is told from Bailey's perspective, and the "scentsative" dog sniffs out the lessons in order to be a good dog. There are a few moments that may bring a tear to one's eye, but there are also many humorous moments including more than one visit to a vet with a dog leaving the office wearing what can only be a cone of shame.
116. Reading People: How Seeing the World Through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything by Anne BogelPersonality assessments of various types allow the reader to define his- or herself more fully, and thus live more fully. That's this book in a nutshell. From Meyers-Briggs to StrengthsFinder to Enneagram and more assessment protocols, chapters are devoted to each of them as well as resources and references to further enhance the reader's benefit. In other words: Know Thyself!
Bogel's style isn't bogged down with only describing the assessments though she does a thorough job of that; she also uses her real life experiences with the tests as well as describing her own search to understand her own personality and decisions, both good and bad.
Totally interesting insights can be had...about the assessments themselves, about what can be learned from the results, and about how to interact better with family and friends, who may not share the same personality quirks.
This is a book that can be read in bits and pieces...a chapter here, a chapter there, skip one or not, spend hours with one to get as much out of the ideas presented. It's totally up to the person how they use this book. Because of that, consider a copy of your very own as there is really too much to take in one reading, or reading straight through as this reader did (because of library due dates).
117. Elegy for a Disease by Anne FingerAnne Finger writes a memoir of her life with polio. She contracted polio when she was about three, and it has affected her life from then on. From her childhood to young adulthood to today, she has been fighting for justice for herself and others. And living a full life, despite post-polio syndrome.
Interspersed with her life story is the history of polio as well as some treatments used upon victims of the disease. Lots of information contained about the disease, but the most interesting part is her story, which includes the changing culture of the sixties and beyond.
Ever since I saw the movie, Five Little Pennies (I believe that was the title) starring Danny Kaye, in my youth, as well as reading about infantile paralysis in my cousin's encyclopedia, I have been fascinated with the disease and its aftermath. Having another cousin who had contracted polio as a child was another reason for learning more about the disease. Our cousin, whom we are called Uncle Don as he was my Dad's first cousin, lived a full, vital life, but was increasingly crippled up as he aged due to his bout with the virus. Like Anne Finger, he didn't let polio define him, yet it affected him his whole life long.
118. Over You by Christine Kersey3.5 stars...A second chance romance, that is a breath of fresh air because it is not sexually explicit nor full of profanity.
Jessica, reeling from a recent breakup to Alex, decides to visit her aunt Ellen, who is dealing with an illness. Unfortunately, her aunt is planning on renovating her home, and has chosen Kyle, the man who broken off their engagement five years earlier. Frankly, Jess has never quite stopped loving him so when they meet again, the tension between the two is unmistakable as particularly Kyle appears to have moved on with a gorgeous woman, Melanie, with a daughter.
In addition to the continuing tension between the two, Jessica discovers a mysterious correspondence fifty years old. Her interest piqued, she begins to investigate, but her sleuthing may set her at odds with locals, who'd rather keep long buried secrets quiet.
Will she ever find out who wrote the letters? Will she ever find love? Will it be with Alex, who appears and wants to marry her, or will there be a rekindling of love with Kyle? Or will Kyle end up with Melanie? Is it all about being 'Over You'?
119. All Fired Up by Vivian Arend and Elle KennedyThree handsome, hot retired Rangers make romantic dreams come true in their business DreamMakers. Jack, Dean, and Parker take their training into creating romantic moments for hapless males by using recon to figure out just what a woman wants. Yet, one recon goes awry, and catches one of the Rangers, Parker, in a love story of his own. The problem: his recon victim, Lynn, and he hit it off, and her jerk ex-boyfriend is clueless. He's hired the DreamMakers, but they can't/won't deliver as he is a real jerk. But what will happen when he discovers Lynn and Park are an item? What will happen when Lynn finds out the truth behind her and Parker's first encounters?
Lots of spicy scenes including a threesome, some graphic language, and three, count 'em three, characters with green eyes, and at least one true What-the-tuck hair tucking incident.
119.5 Mischief by Tiffany Reisz
A Halloween-themed enovella about a special adventure in Salem, Massachusetts with Nora and Nico. Nico, who has never celebrated Halloween and Nora shows him everything...treats, tricks, and more including a special time with Justine.
120. The Distance From A to Z by Natalie BlittAngsty teen Abby Berman loves all things French--the language especially (she even learned it on her own). And she HATES baseball--well, she certainly hates how important it is to her family to the exclusion of all else.
So she attends summer school and meets Zeke Martin, who is also studying intensive French. Paired together, she strikes out! He is everything she hates--talking baseball, wearing baseball logo shirts, and is a definite jock. But eight weeks together spent speaking the language will change everything until...his secret comes out. Can they bridge the distance created by the secret? Or will this change everything forever for the pair? Will their newfound love hit a home run or be an inning ending out?
For those who love the French language, and maybe even want a refresher course, this is full of French words, phrases, and sentences (as well as the translations for them all....okay, for those who speak/know some French (le francais) it became a bit tedious at times). Some vocabulary could be learned by reading the novel, however. Only noticed where the sentence structure was a bit flawed...adjectives generally come after the noun, at least what this reader learned in high school French. Added to that, there was the issue that their weekend trip to Montreal to speak French did not address the fact that Quebecois French is a shade different than what Abby and Zeke were speaking.
On the other hand, this novel had no noticeable typos. Vraiment (truly). The protagonist Abby was a bit too whiny at times, a bit too judgmental at times, but all within the realm of normalcy of an angtsy seventeen-year-old.
Quote: Il a menti. (He lied.)
121. Y is for Yesterday by Sue GraftonA case from ten years ago and a current case of extortion has Kinsey Millhone searching for the truth. What really happened when Sloan was murdered? Only four friends from an elite high school know for sure, but tracking down the truth keeps Kinsey hopping.
Added to that, the psychopath, Ned Lowe, from the previous novel, X, is out to kill Kinsey. Will he succeed or will justice for this man finally be served?
Between the past and the present, the story of what happened is slowly unfolded; secrets are revealed, and much of what happens is precipitated by the release of one of the students from prison and a mysterious video tape from the past.
Looking forward to Z is for...(zealot? zither? Xanax?)
122. No Time Like Forever by Zoe York
Fake it till you make it, a fake relationship between a hockey player, Chase Miller, and a budding singer-songwriter/bartender, Mari, that becomes real
123. Her Loyal SEAL by Caitlyn O'Leary2.5 stars actually because of excessive editing issues (typos, etc.)
A SEAL team rescues a family from a vicious drug cartel, but at a cost. The family, including a battered and bleeding young woman, Lydia Hidalgo, must travel through the Mexican jungle to a spot where they will be airlifted to the US. That is, if they make it.
In the five day trek, SEAL Clint Archer becomes emotionally attached to her as he literally carries her out on his back.
Yet, with her father planning on testifying against the drug lord Guzman and the cartel, the family will be going into the Witness Protection Program, presuming they survive.
Romance may be deadly for the pair. Will they have their 'happily-ever-after' or will the cartel find them all and kill them? A contemporary romantic suspense novel with spicy scenes between Lydia.
124. Sealed With a Kiss by Leeanna Morgan3.5 stars actually....A contemporary romance that occurs because an eight-year-old girl, Bella, writes a letter to The Bridesmaid Club wanting a bride for her daddy, a retired Navy SEAL and widower.
When one of the recipients of the letter finally connects with her father, John Fletcher, sparks ignite as well as a job for this teacher. Rachel McReedy is hired to be a tutor to impetuous Bella. Yet, both back away from the chemistry; after all, he is her boss, and he obviously is not interested in anything but his business and keeping Bella safe.
Refreshing romance in that there were no discernible green-eyed characters and only one hair-tucking incidents. A bit of editing would have caught the many typos, but overall, it was a clean story and little sexual content...mostly kissing and romantic moments combined with some suspense. Set in the weeks leading up to Christmas, there were lighthearted moments as well as a happily-ever-after for all. Loved the guards, Tanner and Tank, especially as they dealt with Bella and Rachel.
Two books in a row where the romantic lead was a SEAL.
125. How the Finch Stole Christmas by Donna AndrewsThe twenty-second bird-themed Meg Langslow mystery is as fresh as the first with exotic finches playing their part.
It is Christmas time in Caerphilly, and with it are upcoming performances of the Dickens story/play, A Christmas Carol. That is, if Meg, Michael, and the crew can keep the Hollywood star, Haver, sober and on task. Unfortunately, he is considered a 'person of interest' in a finch and exotic animal smuggling ring and murder.
Will Meg catch the murderer and clean up the smuggling ring before the curtain goes up opening night? Will Haver ever sober up, or will Michael become Scrooge at the last minute?
Plenty of humor, plenty of puppies, plenty of cats, and plenty of finches can be found within the pages of this mystery. Per usual, Meg's family plays their part as the snow falls on the Virginia village, muddling up the festivities as Meg tries to figure out who without stepping on the police's jurisdiction...well, too much.
126. A Dog's Journey by W. Bruce CameronThe sequel to A Dog's Purpose is as poignant as the first. Buddy (Bailey), who was Ethan's dog, returns and becomes the dog who protects his granddaughter, Clarity (CJ), throughout her life.
The story is told with humor and pathos. As seen through the perspective of the various reincarnations of Buddy (Molly, etc.), the reader is invited to see that CJ is his/her girl, and the dog helps her through troubled teenage and adult years. CJ's issues include an eating disorder and a mother who is both narcissistic and emotionally unavailable. With each new dog form, the dog first known as Toby, carries on his knowledge of past lives to help his human and the humans around him.
Will this dog ever complete his mission? Will this dog ever find his purpose and complete his journey? This is not a story that necessarily advocates for reincarnation, but shows the power of love. A true tearjerker of a novel, especially for animal lovers.
127. The Sunlight Pilgrims by Jenni Fagan3.5 stars actually--This climate change apocalyptic novel is set in Great Britain, primarily in the Scottish Highlands in the village of Clachan Fells. A band of quirky villagers living in a caravan park (what persons from the United States would call a trailer park) form a community/family as the snows deepen, icebergs float freely, and temperatures drop precipitously low.
Dylan, rather move south to escape freezing temperatures as most Londoners are doing, travels to Clachen Fells to scatter the ashes of his mother and grandmother. There he meets Constance and her daughter Stella, and they all hunker down, forming a family, becoming the Sunlight Pilgrims over the course of the story.
Wacky family relationships and what is meant by family/community is explored throughout.
I have to admit that I like the convention of quotation marks for dialogue. Em dashes used as designating made understanding the dialogue between characters difficult especially when it went from dialogue to exposition in the same paragraph. Sometimes it was nearly impossible to figure out who was speaking to whom during any particular conversation; very confusing.
Quote of note:
"There is an ordinariness to their strange." page 198 (in regards to a relationship)
127.5 Big Girls Do It (#1-4) by Jasinda Wilder3.5 stars...Four short stories of a contemporary erotic romance series featuring Anna, Chase, and Jeff. Anna is a big girl (her words) with a terrific voice. She attracts Chase Delaney, a bad boy rocker, who wants her, and bad. One special night of no-holds-barred sex, but then he is off to New York City.
Jeff, her partner and friend, is waiting in the wings. Suddenly, they connect, and it is phenomenal, too. How could she have ignored him all these years? Oh yeah, she didn't want to ruin a great friendship. Until...
Chase sends an airline ticket, and it is off to New York. Chase and Anna re-connect in more spicy ways, until...
And then it is back to Detroit, nursing a broken heart. Can she connect again with Jeff, or has she ruined her friendship with him? What is a sexy, beautiful woman to do when torn between two lovers? Cliffhanger ending with both men wanting to marry Anna...
128. The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch AlbomMiracle? Or hoax? Suddenly, several citizens in Coldwater, Michigan get phone calls from family members, who have died, claiming they are calling from heaven with (mostly) positive news of how wonderful it is. Each claims to recognize the voice as legitimate, that it is their loved one.
Sully Harding returns to Coldwater just as these calls begin. He is grieving his wife Giselle's death...one that occurred while he served time in prison. With his son Jules hoping that his mom will call him, Sully decides to get to the bottom of these calls. Will he figure out whether it is a hoax, or will he be convinced of their legitimacy?
Now, the town is being overrun with media as the 'miracle calls' continue. Believers and non-believers clash as each group feel the know the truth.
A good read during the holiday season, and readers can decide for themselves if ALL the calls are everything they seem.
Also lots of interesting facts about the creation of the phone and Alexander Graham Bell.
129. Snared by Jennifer EstepThe sixteenth novel in the Elemental Assassin series takes Gin Blanco in a new direction. Despite her desire to spend her focus looking for information on the Circle, she is contacted by a friend, Jade, to find her sister, who has disappeared, vanished without a trace.
It may just be that these two issues are related, but it will take all of Gin's resources and cadre of friends and family to find the girl, who may well be dead at the hands of a ruthless serial killer.
Gin (AKA the Spider), always smart and sassy, may be snared in a web not of her own making.
The author continues a series that is fun, humorous, and sexy, but this is one of the darkest to date. Looking forward to the next in the series as this reader is ensnared as well.
130. Murder Comes eCalling by Leslie O'KaneMolly Masters has moved back to the town where she grew up. Immediately, she becomes immersed in the murder of one of her teachers. A suspect even despite the fact she is being threatened via faxes. Figuring out this murder and another related murder may be just as deadly for her and her family.
Two issues for me: lots of typos of various kinds that could easily be corrected with better proofing, and the medication issues of dosing, which would only be noticed by a pharmacist or physician. In this case, a FEMALE pharmacist noticed. Molly Masters has moved back to the town where she grew up. Immediately, she becomes immersed in the murder of one of her teachers. A suspect even despite the fact she is being threatened via faxes. Figuring out this murder and another related murder may be just as deadly for her and her family.
Two issues for me: lots of typos of various kinds that could easily be corrected with better proofing, and the medication issues of dosing, which would only be noticed by a pharmacist or physician. In this case, a FEMALE pharmacist noticed. 2.5 stars
131. The Blackbird Season by Kate MorettiAngsty teens; a caring teacher and coach; a troubled marriage; lies, infidelity, and more...all add up to a suspenseful thriller that doesn't end until the very last page, leaving the reader with questions and the possibility of several answers.
Told through various characters' perspectives and shifting time lines (before, during, and after the blackbirds fell from the sky), this story illuminates how a small, dying town can fall apart even further in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct between a beloved teacher and a troubled student. And when she goes missing...the rumors become worse and will strain a marriage already under stress.
great quote about beginnings and endings often seeming the same
132. Naked in Death by J.D. RobbIn the first novel of this series, Lt. Eve Dallas is looking for the murderer of a legal prostitute, the granddaughter of a prestigious US Senator. When it seems that she is the first of six planned murders, Dallas kicks into high gear.
Solving these murders may just strip Eve of her veneer of control. Futuristic murders being done by 21st century weapons make for a gripping thriller.
Glad to have begun the series; looking forward to more. Loved Eve and her strength, loved the mysterious Roarke (hey, any man who can roll up his sleeves and work is sexy).
133. Sacred Light (Armor of Magic #1) by Simone PondA new paranormal, urban fantasy from the author of The New Agenda... has a young woman, Fiona, running from her destiny as a Protector of Light. Yet, despite her desire to have a life, she may be pulled into fighting the forces of Darkness. Evil has a dark side, and people, particularly friends, may not be what they seem on the surface.
The first book in the trilogy introduces Fiona, Asher, Charlotte, Ezra, Lilith, and others. Will Fiona accept her position in the Monarchy? Will she fight to protect the light from the darkness?
Engaging characters and humorous circumstances and dialogue throughout make for a fun read that also has spiritual overtones. Rather like the lightness vs. darkness...both can be possible at the same time, but hopefully, the light will win out.
134. Seven Days of Us by Francesca HornakOne family. Seven days. Secrets unrevealed. Quarantined together. How will they survive without the 'necessities' of life? How will they survive together without going insane and killing each other?
Told from the perspective of five family members (Andrew, Emma, Phoebe, Olivia, and Jesse), a family is in quarantine in the days leading up to Christmas up until the end of the year. Each is dealing with their own issues; each has tunnel vision with regard to their individual lives; and old (and new) relationships are at a breaking point.
Why the quarantine? Older daughter Olivia is returning from Liberia, where the Haag virus (think Ebola) is killing people, particularly children. Thus with no where else to go, she returns to her family forcing them into a necessary quarantine in the family's secluded ancestral home, cut off from everybody and everything. Except the secrets several of them are carrying, mostly to protect the others from a dismal Christmas.
Does it work? Or will the secrets, if and when revealed, destroy the tenuous family relationships?
Or will it create improved, stronger relationships between the various family members?
Only one little nit-picky thing: the temperature reading was 98.6 F, but since it was set in Great Britain (and the author used Britishisms throughout), the reading should have been in the Celsius scale. Otherwise, a decent debut novel. I have to admit I was shocked near the end over one event although I shouldn't have been in retrospect.
135. Rising Light (Armor of Magic #2) by Simone Pond narrated by Caitlin KellyThe second book in the urban fantasy trilogy finds Fiona Farrow finally embracing her role as a Protector of Light. Joining forces with two other Protectors, Julian and Rocco, she travels to New York where the Ancient Order of Vampires is located. The head of the organization has another of the Sacred scrolls, and they must get it back, or humanity will be plunged into darkness.
Since it is the second of three books, there is plenty of action going on; however, as might be expected, there is a cliff-hanger ending. Which leaves this reader ready to move on to the final book to get the answers to whether humanity will be saved, whether she rescues her parents, and whether she will ever lose her virginity. (Fortunately, I will find out as I have the third book in my possession, again thanks to Simone).
Like her other series, there is a spiritual component to her novels. Unlike her other novels, this series has stronger language than what this reader has observed in the past (not that I minded).
I must admit that I much prefer reading to listening to audio-books, but Caitlin Kelly does a decent job of narrating the novel, using her voice to create the many characters. For once, listening didn't lull me to sleep as is often the case when listening to audio-books. Perhaps, it is the action as Fiona and her cohorts go from one disastrous situation to the next as they deal with the head vampire Lucius and Cagliostros, the demon mage who wishes to possess all of the scrolls and their magic.
On the other hand, listening to audio-books, in general, shows up the repetitiveness of language used, and this novel was no exception. Demon bats and smirk were just two of the words and phrases that kept appearing over and over again.
The whole series may be reviewed on www.pedometergeek.wordpress.com, my personal review site, after I complete the third book.
136. My Absolute Darling by Gabriel TallentWhat can be said about a novel that is so deeply disturbing in content and subject matter, has lyrical and complex language, and has a setting that is both beautiful and stark?
This is truly a difficult story to categorize as the main character, Turtle (Julia), is both deeply loved and thoroughly abused by her survivalist father. Calling her My Absolute Darling, he owns her body and soul, yet she is a survivalist too. But will she survive her father's physical, verbal, and sexual abuse, especially when she discovers a world outside their home that includes Jacob and Brett?
It is also a truly difficult story to read because of the abuse Turtle endures, particularly the sexual abuse, which may have been the reason her mother drowned. Heaping verbal abuse upon the fourteen-year-old, her father knows how to pull all her strings, manipulate her to do what he wants, destroying her confidence with obscene, vile language. Keeping her close, her world is small even as she tries to escape the confines of her reality.
When he brings home a young girl, Cayenne, whom he picked up at a gas station, her situation all comes to a head.
An extra star for the fact that she and her grandfather (one of the few supportive persons in her life) play cribbage. Cribbage is a great game, and for this reason alone, this makes a good reason for reading this story.
Overall, the story of the father-daughter relationship is disturbing; the dialog is crude (while the language is poetic); and the setting is stark, just like the reality of Turtle's life.
137. Edge of Light (Armor of Light #3) by Simone Pond, narrated by Caitlin KellyIn this third and final book in the trilogy, Fiona has been reunited with her long lost parents only to lose them again as she and the other Protectors of Light enter the embattled city of San Francisco, which has been taken over by the demon mage Cagliostros and his minions. They include vampires, shifters, other paranormal creatures, and humans bewitched by mind control.
Using what powers she has at her disposal including the logos, Fiona must battle all of these paranormal creatures while protecting the Sacred Scroll in her possession, but is there a traitor in her midst? Who to trust? Will she survive, and more importantly, will she save all of humanity, but to do so, will she lose people she loves most? Will the Monarchy be saved or will Cagliostros destroy it, too? Will the light overcome the dark?
Pond has written another series that features a strong female lead in Fiona Farrow (although she was a bit juvenile with her desire to lose her virginity). She is offset by a particularly evil character in Cagliostros. And plenty of ancillary characters, some of whom are decent, and others who are not.
Further, like her other series, she adds a subtle (or not-so-subtle) spiritual component. It is a battle between good and evil, between the dark and the light.
Personally, I am not the biggest fan of audio-books as they tend to lull me to sleep. The narrator, Caitlin Kelly, does a great job here, making each character come alive, varying the voices, even the male voices, so that the 'reader' can distinguish between each. On the other hand, audio-books seem to accentuate repetitive language, and there is some of that in this story.
I think I would enjoy re-reading the last two books in the trilogy it to get more of the nuances of the story as I may have missed a few things along the way. Thanks again, Simone, for the books.
138. The Mother's Promise by Sally Hepworth3.5 stars actually--Alice Stanhope and her daughter Zoe are close...real close. It has been the two of them since the day Zoe was born. They are basically complete as is; no others need apply (including a non-existent father). Until it is necessary.
The day Alice receives a cancer diagnosis: Stage 3 ovarian cancer, things radically change even as they stay the same. Always optimistic, Alice keeps the diagnosis to herself. Especially since Zoe has an extreme case of social anxiety disorder. No need to worry her until it's necessary.
Enter two women: Kate and Sonja. Kate is a nurse; Sonja, a social worker. Both will have integral parts to play in Alice's and Zoe's lives. Yet, they have lives of their own, which are fraught with their individual painful issues.
Each character's life is shown individually as well as corporately with the two main characters. Told from each woman's perspective, this story tells what is going on each of the women's lives. Ultimately, the reader experiences the painful realities of Alice, Zoe, Sonja, and Kate.
Will they rise above their various hurts, or will life grind them down? From Zoe's school issues to Alice's chemo to Kate's and Sonja's marriages, this is a finely drawn drama.
139.Christmas With the Marine by Candace Havens4.5 stars actually--A contemporary romance with two 'no commitment, love 'em and leave 'em' people until they aren't. When Major Ben Hawthorne loses a bet, he has to buy all the presents for his Marine unit's charities: Toys for Tots and the local retirement homes. Overwhelmed and talking to himself in one of the toy aisles, he is rescued by a professional shopper, Ainsley.
Sparks ignite, and the connection is made for a one-night-and-done, but is it? It seems as if they have more than one night in them, and despite themselves, they just may find there is more to their relationship than hot, sweaty sex.
Except there is a huge divide between them. She comes from a wealthy family, and he hasn't...that's one of the reasons he originally joined the Marines. Will it make a difference? Hopefully not.
140. Creation in Death by J.D. RobbEve Dallas and her department hunt down a serial killer called the Groom. Suspenseful read where the hunter is also the hunted. Will Dallas and crew catch the Groom before he tortures and kills more young brunettes?
141. The Sleepwalker by Chris BohjalianThe subject of the novel is a woman, Annalee Ahlberg, who has parasomnia and disappears one night. She sleepwalks all too often, but only when her husband is away. Finally after months and years he hasn't traveled for his job as a professor, he goes to a conference in Iowa, and she disappears and is presumed missing or dead.
Her two daughters, Lianna and Paige, are looking for answers and clues to her whereabouts as the novel opens. Paige, especially, is concerned and willing to swim the river near where a scrap of her nightgown was found.
Enter detectives and police including one detective, Gavin Rilker, looking for information.
Told through Lianna's perspective, the story is told including a possible romance between Lianna and Gavin. Despite Lianna's pushing for information, Gavin doesn't give up information about the case.
Eventually, months later, Annalee's body is found, and there are more questions than answers for Lianna and her family. Yet, Lianna keeps trying to figure out more about her mother's death.
Complex and dis\turbing, full of lies and half-truths, this novel is interesting for various reasons, one of which is the snippets of a journal describing parasomnia and its manifestations.
142. Crimes Against a Book Club by Kathy CoopermanVanity thy name is woman...
Or is it Evanite'?
A book club of snooty, rich members become willing users of a monumental new face cream that has a kick....until it is revealed that cocaine is part of the formulation.
Why does Annie and Sarah and Chloe participate in such an illegal scam? Because they need money fast, maybe.
Lots of literary references, lots of laughs, lots of smirking (overused), and a cute story. Definitely a fun read.
Humor, murder, and birds...all signature ingredients of Donna Andrews' Meg Langslow mystery series, and this one is no different. Love her titles!
Meg and company (extended family, mostly) are all helping out at her grandmother Cordelia's Biscuit Mountain Craft School when vandals start terrorizing the school. Destroyed artwork, soy sauce surprises, and more are just some of the many things going on at the school. Then comes a murder or two and a possible siting of an extinct (or thought-to-be-extinct) gull.
Between the murder and her naturalist grandfather searching for these gulls, Meg has her hands full keeping her busy trying to track down the perpetrator and keep the school running smoothly and without incident. Will she solve the murder before anyone else gets hurt? Or will she become a victim of whomever is causing the mayhem? Moreover, will the rare gull species be found?
One nitpick on this reader's part: one officer had an anaphylactic (allergic) reaction to sage requiring use of his epinephrine injector (okay, BUT he should have ended up in the ER; no one should use an epinephrine injector without the requisite 911 call, which was not mentioned although another person went to the hospital over a severe reaction to poison ivy.