What are you reading? Showing 2,701-2,750 of 3,243

[Christine]

I finished my book called Forever on the Bay by Lee Tobin McClain

[Book Concierge]

Iona Iverson’s Rules For Commuting – Clare Pooley – 3***
This is a delightful ensemble piece featuring Iona Iverson, a woman of a certain age, who has long held a position as an advice columnist, and the other regular riders of a particular tube route in London. I really liked all these characters, even the insufferable Piers, and enjoyed watching how their expanded circle of friendship affected each of them. I worried for some of them as their backstories unfolded and cheered them all on as they emerged from their troubles and all vowed to “be more Iona.” It’s my own new rallying cry!
LINK to my full review

[Sharon]

My review for I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Book Concierge]

The World That We Knew – Alice Hoffman – 4****
Hanni Kohn recognizes the imminent danger the Nazi’s pose, so she goes to a rabbi for help. But it is the rabbi’s daughter, Ettie, who offers to make the mystical golem who will protect Hanni’s daughter, Lea. Once Ava is brought to life, she will join with Lea and Ettie to escape to France. Although separated their paths are fated to intersect. I was skeptical about reading another WW2 story, but Hoffman’s writing captured my attention and kept me interested and engaged throughout
LINK to my full review

[Christine]

I finished my book called Winter Heat by Larissa Emerald

[Christine]

[Sharon]

My review for Someone Else's Child by Kylie Orr

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Book Concierge]

The Chicken Sisters – K J Dell’Antonia – 3.5***
Two competing chicken restaurants founded a century ago by sisters are the subject of a reality-TV “food war.” In addition to the long-running family feud continues with a current “feud” of sorts between sisters Amanda and Mae. There are some family secrets that come out, a new hunky chef, a manipulative TV producer who wants more conflict, and more than one effort to sabotage the competition which all serve to keep the plot moving forward with surprises, twists and insights into the family dynamic. There can only be ONE winner of “Food Wars” and in this case, it’s the reader.
LINK to my full review

[Kristine]

I just finished , Whitney Goodman. It is really an uplifting book and found is very helpful. I had the Audio, too 🎧 which was a great combination. Review: 5 ⭐️ if anyone is interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am reading/listening to , Leila
Mottley

Then probably start , Ann Napolitano. It just arrived in the mail.

[Christine]

I finished my book called More Than A Wish: My Life and Stories from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. by Cory Metz

[Book Concierge]

Mistress Of the Ritz – Melanie Benjamin – 3.5***
As she has done for many other women in history, Benjamin, turns her attention to a previously little-known woman who made a significant impact. This novel focuses on Blanche Auzello, a former American actress who was married to Claude Auzello, the manager of the Hotel Ritz in Paris, and their experiences during the Nazi occupation of Paris. I was completely caught up in the story from beginning to end. It’s worth reading the author’s note at the end to learn the few facts the author had on which to frame this engaging work of fiction.
LINK to my full review

[Sharon]

My review for The Last Love Note by Emma Grey

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Book Concierge]

Invisible Women – Caroline Criado Pérez – 5*****
Subtitle: Data Bias In a World Designed For Men. The author explores how the gender data gap harms women, sometimes with life-threatening results. Criado Pérez has done extensive research but she does more than just present her findings. Her writing is clear, logical, and compelling. Read this book!
LINK to my full review

[Christine]

[ITSUKI]

[Christine]

I finished my book called I Will Find You by Harlan Coben

[Christine]

I finished my book called Hanging on to Max by Margaret Bechard

[Christine]

[Christine]

I finished my book called The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci

[Christine]

[Christine]

I finished my book called The Second Marriage by Jess Ryder

[Book Concierge]

Queen of America – Luis Alberto Urrea – 4****
Urrea picks up where he left off in The Hummingbird’s Daughter and continues the story of his great aunt, Teresita Urrea, “The Saint of Cabora” or “Mexican Joan of Arc.” Teresita is in turns sheltered and looked after, abused, taken advantage of, earning and taking charge of her celebrity, and finding peace. Set against the backdrop of historical events in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Urrea gives us a woman who has earned a place in history and legend.
LINK to my full review

[Book Concierge]

The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba – Chanel Cleeton – 3***
For her fourth book featuring a member of the Perez family, Cleeton turned to history and one exceptional Cuban woman – Evangelina Cisneros – who was instrumental in the fight to liberate Cuba from Spanish rule. Basing most of the novel of actual events, Cleeton filled in with two fictional characters: journalist Grace Harrington, and Marina Perez, a Cuban caught in the conflict between Spain and those seeing independence for the island.
LINK to my full review

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Elementary, She Read – Vicki Delany – 3***
First in a new (to me, at least) series starring Gemma Doyle who is helping her great uncle Arthur run his bookshop. This has all the elements of a successful cozy mystery series, including a cute pet (in this case the black cat named Moriarty and a best friend who runs a complimentary business. I loved all the book references, and thought the basic premise was sufficiently plausible to keep me interested and engaged.
LINK to my full review

[Christine]

I finished my book called Lie To Her by Melinda Leigh

[Book Concierge]

The Barbizon – Paulina Bren – 4****
Subtitle: The Hotel That Set Women Free. Bren has done her research and chronicles the history of the iconic hotel from its construction in 1927 to its conversion to multi-million dollar condominiums in 2007. As she tells the story of the hotel, she tells the story of women in America, of their hopes, dreams and aspirations as contrasted with society’s expectations and the structured roles assigned to “proper” women.
LINK to my full review

[Christine]

[Christine]

[Christine]

I finished my book called My Wife is Missing by D.J. Palmer

[Book Concierge]

Blackbird House – Alice Hoffman – 3***
This is a collection of vignettes, spanning two-plus centuries, all set in the same house / farm on the tip of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. beginning when the area was still a British colony and ending in the early 21st century. I found these stories enchanting and mesmerizing, though I’m hard pressed to say what exactly it was about them that so charmed me. Maybe that is the magic of Hoffman’s storytelling.
LINK to my full review

[Christine]

[Christine]

I finished my book called Adrenaline by John Benedict

[Book Concierge]

The Unconsoled –Kazuo Ishiguro – 3***
This is a story about Ryder, an internationally renowned pianist, who arrives in an unnamed European city to give a concert he has no memory of agreeing to give. Ishiguro is a brilliant writer, but this was a really challenging work. It is the stuff of dreams, or perhaps nightmares. People come and go, and Ryder (not to mention the reader) is left trying to puzzle out what is happening.
LINK to my full review

[Book Concierge]

Lucky In Love – Kasie West – 3***
This is a pretty typical YA romance. The interesting twist, of course, is Maddie’s status as a BIG lottery winner, and that definitely does complicate things for her. I really liked Maddie. She’s young and inexperienced but generally has a pretty good head on her shoulders. She values family relationships and true friendships. All in all, it’s a fast, fun read.
LINK to my full review

[Christine]

I finished my book called The Edge of Death by John Benedict

[Christine]

I finished my book called The Holiday Home: She thought she was alone, but he never left. by Ashley Beegan

[Book Concierge]

The Eyes of the Dragon – Stephen King – 3.5***
Well, this was a fairy tale I never expected from Stephen King. I was reminded of a number of classic fairy tales, adventure quests and such that enthralled and entertained me when I was a child. This story speaks directly to the child that still dwells inside me. It allows me to suspend disbelief while I cheer for the hero and hiss at the villain.
LINK to my full review

[Book Concierge]

The Heart Goes Last – Margaret Atwood – 4****
In a country facing economic and social collapse, Stan and Charmaine struggle to hold onto their love and their marriage. Damn but Atwood is a fine writer! I love how she shows us this young couple , their dreams and ambitions revealed through their actions. What IS love? Is it passion and excitement? Is it devotion and sacrifice without thought to self? Can we choose whom and how to love, or is it an emotion so powerful that we are helpless in its grasp, destined to follow the path laid out before us?
LINK to my full review

[Christine]

I finished my book called The Perfect Daughter by D.J. Palmer

[Book Concierge]

The Coyotes of Carthage – Steven Wright – 4****
Andre Ross has one more shot to salvage his career as a hotshot political consultant. Sent to a backwater community in South Carolina, he’s tasked with passing an initiative that no one has even considered. I found this riveting and informative. I could not help but think of our current political climate and the way the populace is manipulated by the message.
LINK to my full review

[Christine]

I finished my book called The Finalists by David Bell

[Book Concierge]

Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt – 4****
Van Pelt weaves disparate characters into a tapestry of love, forgiveness and second chances. The story is tender and heart-warming and charming, if a little unbelievable. I was completely captured by it and loved every minute I spent with them. The ending is pretty perfect. This is a strong debut and I eagerly await the author’s next effort!
LINK to my full review

[Christine]

I finished my book called Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin

[Book Concierge]

Angel With Two Faces – Nicola Upson – 3***
Book two in the mystery series featuring Josephine Tey and Detective Inspector Archie Penrose. Tey was a real person, and Upson uses elements of her life as well as historical events of the mid 1930s as jumping off points for these mysteries. As mysteries go, this was somewhat slow to get started. The action picks up once the murder happens (on page 200). It is more of a psychological drama than anything else. I’m willing to continue the series, but I hope the action picks up.
LINK to my full review

[Book Concierge]

A Single Thread – Tracy Chevalier – 3***
I have read and greatly enjoyed other works by Chevalier, so was looking forward to it. But I come away a little disappointed. I really wanted to know more about the cathedral, its history, and the work of the broderers. I really liked Violet, and several of the women she came to know and befriend. Her landlady was a peach, and Miss Pesel was a treasure. I thought Chevalier treated Violet’s relationship with Arthur fairly, and realistically. But I could have done without the romance.
LINK to my full review

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Rich People Problems – Kevin Kwan – 3***
Book three (and I hope the final installment) in the story of the uber wealthy Singaporean Young family. There’s plenty of drama, what with divorces, engagements, sex video scandals, stepchildren misbehaving, mega efforts to one-up each other, extravagant parties, and even plastic surgery for a pet fish. Kwan writes these people so over-the-top that it’s hard to relate to any of them. They are shallower that the damp spot on the sidewalk where I splashed a few drops of water. Still, I found it mildly entertaining and it was a fast read.
LINK to my full review

[Christine]

I finished my book called The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

[Book Concierge]

Murder In Grub Street – Bruce Alexander – 3***
Book two in the Sir John Fielding mystery series. This was much more complicated than the first book, and I admit my attention wandered a bit. There is religious fervor, multiple personalities, professional jealousy, anti-semitism, dreadful conditions of tenement buildings, and a light-fingered imp of a thief to complicate the case. Still, I love the way that Alexander has taken bits and pieces of history and woven them into these mysteries.
LINK to my full review

[sonya]

All the way home by Wendy corsi staub

[Book Concierge]

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – J K Rowling – 4****
The seventh, and final, episode in the uber popular Harry Potter series, provides a few surprises and a satisfying ending to the story of the Boy Who Lived vs You Know Who. The series has always been aimed at this confrontation, and some of the scenes were truly frightening. I appreciated the several bits of humor that provided some relief from the seemingly relentless danger. And can I just say that I want one of those evening bags!
LINK to my full review

[Joanne]

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

[Christine]

I finished my book called House on Fire: A Novel by Joseph Finder