Library Lovers discussion
2020 Reads and Reviews ~ Anything goes
A Good Yarn – Debbie Macomber – 3***
This is book two in the Blossom Street series, featuring Lydia Hoffman and the people who come to her Seattle yarn store for knitting classes. The reader follows the ensemble cast through ups and downs, financial hardship, and business success, failed marriages and new love. Enjoyable, mind-candy comfort reads.
My full review HERE
Mod
The World That We Knew
Alice Hoffman
4/5 stars
Set during WWII in France, Hanni, a mother knows she has to send her daughter Lea away before she is sent to a concentration camp. She pleas with her rabbi to help but he can’t. Overhearing the conversation, the rabbi’s daughter Ettie suggests bringing forth a golem that would protect her daughter. Ava is the created creature who will look over Lea and will travel with her to a school where they help to save their Jewish students and hopefully will protect her during the occupation. I enjoy Hoffman and she spins an interesting mystical tale that imbues a tragic part of history.
A True Cowboy Christmas – Caitlin Crews – 3***
I was surprised by how entertaining I found this, despite some totally ridiculous dialogue. I thought the miscommunication between Abby and Gray was belabored. Would have liked to see a more gradual coming-to-agreement, meeting-of-the-minds story arc rather than the abrupt “Come to Jesus (i.e. Christmas)” turnaround. But hey, it’s a cowboy Christmas romance, so it’s okay. And I did like looking at that cover ….
My full review HERE
Badger to the Bone
by Shelly Laurenston
narrated by Charlotte Kane
5*****
I was laughing so hard I had to pause this several times. I expected to find this fun and I did. I expected to see some characters from Pride series and I did, some of them unexpected. I was delighted to see characters from the Magnus Pack series. This book demonstrates once again it's not the size of the shifter in the fight it's the size of the fight in the shifter. No one has more fight in them than these badgers who prove once again that when you mess with one sister you mess with them all.
I thought this was the final badger book but this book introduces more badgers so maybe there will be more books.
News Of the World – Paulette Jiles – 4****
I loved this tale of an elderly widower who agrees to transport a 10-year-old girl who’s been held captive by a Kiowa tribe for about 5 years back to her relatives. The ways they support one another when facing various dangers and come to simply enjoy one another when things are going smoothly, paint a picture of love. There are some scenes that are quite comical, many that are tender, and quite a few that had me on the edge of my seat.
My full review HERE
Mod
News Of the World
– Paulette Jiles – 4****
I loved this tale of an elderly widower who agrees to transport a 10-year-old girl who’s been held captive by a..."
I really liked that book!
Giovanni’s Room – James Baldwin – 4****
A classic of gay literature explores the coming of age of a young American living in Paris in the 1950s. Baldwin’s writing is evocative and atmospheric. His characters are well drawn and reveal their strengths and weaknesses through their thoughts and actions. David’s struggles to be true to himself while living the life he feels is expected of him leads to tragedy. I feel for all these characters as their dreams and aspirations are slowly destroyed. I can only hope that after this story ends, David finds some happiness in his life.
My full review HERE
Let It Snow – Nancy Thayer – 3***
Thayer writes a lovely, quick romance set against a charming backdrop of Christmas in Nantucket. The characters are mostly straight out of central casting, but I’m not complaining. I read these books because they are comfort food. I know exactly what I’m in for and I’m happy to get it.
My full review HERE
Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict – Laurie Viera Rigler – 2**
I should have read the book jacket and put the book aside. This was just ridiculous on so many levels, and Courtney was a total idiot whom I wanted to slap on about every other page. At least it was a fast read, and mildly entertaining.
My full review HERE
Planting Stories – Anika Aldamuy Denise – 5***** and a ❤
Subtitle: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré. This picture book biography is marvelously illustrated by Paola Escobar. The story is simple enough for children to absorb, but detailed enough to engage an adult.
My full review HERE
Mod
Where the Wild Things Bite
Molly Harper
3.5/5 stars
Due to the library being closed, my choices of books are limited. I had picked this book up off the free shelf at the library before it closed and it did meet the criteria of my book challenge. While this book will never will win a Pulitzer, I was thoroughly entertained about this story of a rare book expert, Anna, who was to deliver a book to her client knowing that this book on the undead was highly prized by many people. While she took precautions on her plane trip she did not realize that a vampire, Finn Palmeroy was following her to try and steal the book. She also did not realize the pilot was also was trying to steal it until he crashed the plane. Finn and Anna survive the plane crash, only to be stuck in the middle of nowhere and they have to rely on each other when they soon realize others are after them.
An American Marriage – Tayari Jones – 4****
This is a marvelous character-driven study of relationships, in the broader context of modern society’s inability to grant a Black man the basic premise of “innocent until proven guilty.” Despite this great injustice, the central focus is really the characters’ lack of communication and honesty with one another. My loyalties shifted back and forth between Celestial and Roy as they took turns narrating the story. I think it would be a great choice for a book-club discussion.
My full review HERE
As Nature Made Him – John Colapinto – 5*****
Subtitle: The Boy Who Was Raised As a Girl. This made me so angry! The unmitigated arrogance and superior attitude of Dr John Money made me want to hunt him down and do an experiment on HIM! In writing the book, Colapinto did an excellent job of researching the various players in this tragedy. He provides considerable background on the development of sexual/gender identity theory, including interviews with many researchers and reporting from numerous professional journals. I think the book is balanced and truthful. I applaud David Reimer for the way he managed to survive the horror that was his childhood.
My full review HERE
Ahab’s Wife – Sena Jeter Neslund – 4****
Melville’s classic Moby Dick contains perhaps three or four sentences that reference Ahab’s wife, but those brief references were enough to inspire Neslund to write this tome. Una is a marvelous character: intelligent, forthright, adventurous, principled, loyal and loving. The novel takes her from her childhood in rural Kentucky to her later years in Massachusetts. Along the way she encounters many colorful characters, from slaves to judges, but make no mistake, the story is Una’s, first and foremost.
My full review HERE
Mod
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Zora Neale Hurston
5/5 stars
Janie Crawford is a mixed race daughter whose mother ran off and who was eventually raised by her grandmother. Life is not easy for Janie. She is forced to marry one man, and then eventually runs off with another man. Neither of them had treated her with respect. It was not until she meets the love of her life, Tea Cake that she feels loved. They eventually take off to Florida to make a life for themselves but fate has other plans for Janie. I have never read the Hurston before but I did enjoy this story and would read more of her books. It never won any prizes and did not do well until later in the 1970’s when there was a call for more African American books and literature.
Blue Asylum – Kathy Hepinstall – 2**
Iris Dunleavy is confined to a Florida island asylum for the obvious madness she exhibited in defying her husband. Perhaps Hepinstall was trying to give the reader a sense of the disorientation a truly sane person must feel in such a mandated confinement. If that was her intention, then she mostly succeeded. But, like Iris, I just wanted to escape.
My full review HERE
Pies and Prejudice – Ellery Adams – 2**
I’ve been drawn to this basic premise – food’s magical qualities – since reading Citra Banerjee Divakaruni’s The Mistress of Spices. I’ve read other series books by Adams as well, and enjoyed them. But she really missed the mark here. Ella Mae is just too clueless, and the cast of “eccentric” characters just too over-the-top. Thank heavens it was a fast read.
My full review HERE
Mod
The Library of Lost and Found
Phaedra Patrick
4/5 stars
Martha Stewart has had a terrible life. She can't get the job she wants at the library. Her friends all use her as a doormat and she has a terrible relationship with her sister. One day she finds a book that has a very familiar story when she realizes it was a story that she once told. She tracks down the book and gets involved with the bookstore owner who found the book for her. Little by little Martha tracks down the mystery of her published story and in doing so she stands up for herself and meets the mystery author of her published book! I thought this was thoroughly enjoyable.
Montana Sky – Nora Roberts – 3***
A schlocky cowboy romance with some fun sex scenes. The romance was more than enough to keep us turning pages, with sibling rivalry and the push/pull attractions between the couples entertaining enough to keep even this curmudgeonly reader turning pages. And I did love picturing all those rippling muscles on the big, strong men! But that serial killer subplot! Totally unnecessary.
My full review HERE
The Elementals, Michael McDowell5 stars!!!
I was a little devastated to see this story end. It was described to me as a prequel to Blackwater: The Complete Caskey Family Saga, and it is nothing of the sort, but wonderfully disturbing in its own right. Vintage Michael McDowell, full of dysfunctional family dynamics and paranormal events. Half the time I didn't know whether to laugh or shudder and ended up doing both. I will re-read this with pleasure. If the author had written fifty more of these I would treasure them all.
The Only Road – Alexandra Diaz – 5***** and a ❤
This is a powerful story of twelve-year-old Jaime and his fifteen-year-old cousin Angela’s harrowing journey from their village in Guatemala to El Paso Texas as they flee gang warfare. They face many dangers on this long journey, but find within themselves the courage, tenacity, inventiveness and compassion they need to see them through. I loved these characters. Very well told young adult novel without graphic violence but still giving a sense of the real dangers such refugees face. Both heart-breaking and inspiring.
My full review HERE
The Bromance Book ClubLyssa Kay Adams
narrators: Andrew Eiden, Maxwell Caulfield
4****
I re-listened to this before listening to the new one because there are so many characters I wanted to refresh my memory of who's who.
The basis for series, men reading romances to learn about women, is fun but the men are serious about learning about women and what they want.
Main characters Gavin and Thea. The first book is sports romance/romantic comedy. The Bromance Book Club bringing in Gavin as new member. He needs help to save his marriage and they and the book they recommend help him. The recommended book is a regency about a man romancing his wife and those parts are narrated by Maxwell Caulfield.
Undercover BromanceLyssa Kay Adams
narrator: Andrew Eiden
4****
Main characters Mack, founder of the Bromance Book Club and Liv, Thea's sister. Romance with some humor and some suspense. Liv is a pastry chef working for a horrible celebrity chef who is revealed to be even more horrible than Liv imagined. The men in the book club are ready and willing to help Mack and Liv with romance and bring down the celebrity chef. There is a second romance with older couple. There are reveals about established characters. I'm wondering if new characters who are introduced will be featured in the next book. I missed the Maxwell Caulfield reading the Bromance Book Club chosen book but it wouldn't have fit.
The Preacher’s Daughter – Beverly Lewis – 2**
I think Lewis does have a knack for exploring the Amish and Mennonite cultures, and contrasting their perspectives against those of modern-day America. I’m glad she gives voice to people who struggle with the basic tenets of faith and a way of life that may not completely suit them. However, I think Lewis’s ambitions got away from her. There is just too much going on in this novel and none of if it satisfactorily explored.
My full review HERE
Mod
Revolutionary Road
Richard Yates
4/5 stars
Set in the 1950’s - Frank and April, a young couple with two children, live a dull life. When April discovers about a new job opportunity in France for her to make a great deal of money, she convinces Frank that they should move there and he could watch the kids and look for a career he could enjoy. Unfortunately, April becomes pregnant and her dreams are shattered. Life returns to its normal stagnancy until April makes a shocking decision, changing all of their lives forever. For a book written in 1962, I thought this quite a shocking topic for the author to undertake but I had a hard time putting this down.
The Gown – Jennifer Robson – 3.5***
The subtitle is all the synopsis anyone needs: A Novel of the Royal Wedding. Princess Elizabeth’s wedding to Phillip Mountbatten, that is. I really liked the friendship between Ann, the scrappy Brit, and Miriam, the French immigrant who had survived the Nazis. However, the dual timeline has become the latest fad in historical fiction and I’m over it. Nevertheless, the story captured and held my attention.
My full review HERE
Mod
The Widow
Fiona Barton
4/5 stars
Glen and Jean are a childless couple living a solitary life but Glen has a terrible secret and Jean knows about it but stays silent. However, when a child goes missing, everything in their lives blows up. This is an interesting tale of secrets and the consequences it has on this couple. This has gotten mixed reviews but I really enjoyed the twists and turns of this tale.
The Gift of Rain – Tan Twan Eng – 5*****
Historical fiction set in Malaya during World War II. The 15-year-old main character, youngest son of an established British family, comes of age in a very unsettling time, and becomes the unwitting accomplice to a Japanese spy. The writing is atmospheric and poetic. The characters are complex and nuanced. I was on the edge of my seat in certain scenes. And Eng managed to have me empathize with all sides at one time or another.
My full review HERE
Policewoman One: My Twenty Years on the LAPD, Gayleen Hays4 stars!
Review Linky:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Author Penny Reid First two books in the Knitting in the City series
Romantic comedy with suspense elements
The Neanderthal Box Set 4**** (Free on Amazon)Read kindle book and listened to audios.
Audio versions from library:
Neanderthal Seeks Human by 4****narration by Jennifer Grace 3***
Neanderthal Marries Human 4****narration by Jennifer Grace 3***
narration by Sebastian York 4****
The first book can be read as a stand alone but Reid considers Marries to be a continuation of Seeks and has released ebook of them together. I have the kindle book of the two together and that is what I read along with the audios. I agree reader will get more out of Marries if Seeks is read first but I'm not sure it is absolutely necessary. Marries is a full length book by itself.
I haven't read anything else by Reid so don't know if this is typical for her but each book has humor and suspense. Each book has one extremely funny laugh out loud scene, the kind where I had to go back and listen again to be sure I hadn't missed something due to laughing.
I started Seeks at end of April. Took me longer to finish these than usual but think that's me not the books. Enjoyed the characters and stories and think I will enjoy the series.
I liked both books but enjoyed the audio of Marries more because Sebastian York was added as narrator. I disliked the overly feminine voice Jennifer Grace used for important secondary character Steven. Grace continued to have him sound more feminine than women in the knitting club in the second book. It threw me out of the story because I wondered what woman was speaking and it took a moment for me to figure out it was Steven not a woman.
Pecan Pies and Homicides – Ellery Adams – 1*
Book three in the “Charmed Pie Shoppe” series gets more ridiculous. I guess I need some pie, because I’m no longer charmed by the eccentric characters and the lead character, Ella Mae, drives me crazy. Oh, well. It was a fast read and it satisfied a challenge.
My full review HERE
Mod
Scorsese by Ebert
Roger Ebert
3/5 stars
This was an unusual book. It is not a linear biography of Scorsese, in fact it is not a true biography at all but a look at his life amid his film work. There are 6 discussions/chapters in this non-fiction work - 1) Beginning, 2) Achieving, 3) Establishing, 4) Reflecting,(which is an interview with Ebert) 5) Venturing and 6) Masterpieces. I think the book is interesting and I learned a lot about Scorsese’s filmmaking but the problem I have with the book was that there was a lot of repetition in the book and a rehashing of the movie plots that have been gone over in previous chapters. However, if you are a big film fan or Scorsese fan, I will think you will like this book.
The Last Romantics – Tara Conklin – 3***
A family epic following the four Skinner siblings over several decades. I love character-driven novels, getting to know and understand the psychology of the characters as they cause and/or react to events in their lives. That these four people are damaged by their childhood is without question. The ways they find to cope, or not, is what fascinated me in the novel. I was sorry that COVID19 interrupted our book club’s scheduled meeting on this work. I would certainly have enjoyed that discussion.
My full review HERE
Notorious RBG – Irin Carmon & Shana Knizhnik – 5*****
Subtitle: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Oh, my stars, but this is one HELL of a woman! I've admired her for some years, but I really enjoyed learning more about her. I thought the authors did a great job of making this a very approachable biography. There is no truth without Ruth!
My full review HERE
Mod
To the Lighthouse
Virginia Woolf
3.5/5 stars
This is a semiautobiographical book of the author and her family set in three time periods. Woolf relates the feelings, events and emotions of her childhood when they stayed at their summer home near the lighthouse. The second section relates the events of WWI and what happened to the family during that time period and the last section is ten years later and recalls the memories of returning to their summer home and their trip to the lighthouse. I have never read Woolf but enjoyed this book and her writing.
Upstairs At the White House – J B West & Mary Lynn Kotz – 4****
Subtitle: My Life With the First Ladies. J B West served as the chief usher in the White House from midway through the years of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s terms through the beginning of the Nixon administration. This is an interesting and engaging memoir of his experiences running the private residence for a variety of first ladies. Some interesting behind-the-scenes tidbits, but no real juicy gossip. Discretion was – and is – a chief characteristic of JB West’s.`
My full review HERE
Mod
Upstairs At the White House
– J B West & Mary Lynn Kotz – 4****
Subtitle: My Life With the First Ladies. J B West served as the chief usher in th..."
This has been on my list for awhile-glad you liked it!
Gone with the Whisker by Laurie Cass 5*****Erin Bennett narration 5*****
Librarian Minnie Hamilton is back along with her friends, her visiting niece, and Bookmobile Cat Eddie. It's mid summer in Chilson, Michigan with books to deliver, summer residents, tourists, and, of course, a dead body or two to find.
Eddie is a very smart, talented cat and I love how Erin Bennett voices him and enjoy listening to the audio even if I've already read the print version.
I enjoyed catching up with the characters, the library, the house renovation, and the B&B. I like that Minnie now has a boss with whom she gets along. The house renovation is progressing and Minnie is helping but still living on her houseboat not with her boyfriend because some of the fumes bother her. Sharing the houseboat for the summer, her 17 year old niece, Kat (Don't call her Katrina!) is an interesting addition to the cast of characters.
English Creek – Ivan Doig – 4****
This is a coming-of-age story set in Depression-era Montana. Doig really puts the reader into the era and landscape of this novel. The sky is vast, the landscape majestic, the weather sometimes brutal, and the dangers – both natural and man-made – palpable. Fourteen-year-old Jick McCaskill is a keen observer, if sometimes perplexed. There were times when Doig’s work made me think on my own father, and how he taught us love of the land and nature. That made the book all the more enjoyable for me.
My full review HERE
The Right Stuff – Tom Wolfe – 4****
This is the story of the Mercury Astronauts and how they came to be chosen – evaluated to ensure they had The Right Stuff to succeed in this vital mission. Wolfe does a great job of giving us the background of those first seven astronauts – warts and all. I was fascinated by the extensive testing they underwent to evaluate their fitness for this work. And I think Wolfe did a great job of explaining the differences in their personalities that resulted in success, or missteps.
My full review HERE
Enrique’s Journey – Sonia Nazario – 4****
Subtitle: The True Story of a Boy Determined to Reunite With His Mother. Journalist Sonia Nazario first heard of mothers who leave their children behind from her cleaning lady. Her interest piqued, she sought to document what such a journey entails … for the mother who goes ahead, for the children left behind, for the boy who was determined to travel nearly 2,000 miles alone to find the mother he had not seen for more than a decade. Their stories are heartbreaking and eye-opening.
My full review HERE
Mod
The Right Stuff
– Tom Wolfe – 4****
This is the story of the Mercury Astronauts and how they came to be chosen – evaluated to ensure they had The Right Stuff..."
I loved the movie but never got around to reading the book!
By Book Or By Crook – Eva Gates – 3***
Lucy Richardson leaves a failed engagement and her job at Harvard’s library for a visit with her Aunt Ellen on Bodie Island in the Outer Banks. There she snags a job as assistant librarian for the Lighthouse Library. And becomes enmeshed in a mystery when a priceless first edition is stolen during a private party and a body is found. Interesting premise if a few bumps in the execution. Still, I was entertained and I’ll likely read more of this series.
My full review HERE
Mod
You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington
Alexis Coe
3.5/5 stars
This is a very interesting short biography of Washington geared to those who don’t want to read some of the tomes on him. The author writes about his childhood, marriage to Martha, his war service and his time as president and afterwards. The author intersperses the book with odd facts and topics which include the diseases he survived, the lies told about him, the animals he raised and much more. I really enjoyed this book!
The Snow Leopard – Peter Matthiessen – 2.5**
In general, I love nature and wildlife nonfiction, especially when it deals with endangered species and the efforts to protect them from extinction. The snow leopard is one of the most endangered. Unfortunately for me, and for my rating, this book isn’t really about the snow leopard. As in real life, the creature is extremely elusive in the book, hardly ever mentioned, and not making an actual appearance until late in the journey. Instead this is more Matthiessen’s personal quest for enlightenment. I grew bored and struggled to keep reading.
My full review HERE
Bobbles and Broomsticks by Nancy Warren 4+****
Narration by Sarah Zimmerman 4+****
#8 in the Vampire Knitting Club series
I liked it but I can see why some were disappointed as it seemed more character driven with less mystery plot development than others. I've come to expect that occasionally in series and I usually like it. Frequently books with celebrations such as weddings, as in this one, or holidays or birthdays, provide authors the opportunity to add character information. Some information of interest: Lucy thinking of Violet as a sister, William's impeccable preparations and coping skills when things go wrong, Rafe's ties to both the area and to witches and more, including Lucy's romantic situation.
As usual I read it in print when it came out then waited for audio to become available to read again. I can see me reading it again as a reminder of who's who if there is ever a long gap between books or I'm just wanting a comfortable re-read.
Murder Plain and Simple – Isabella Alan – 3***
I found this moderately entertaining as cozy mysteries go. There’s a decent premise, and I did like Oliver (her bulldog, who is afraid of birds). Alan gives the reader the beginnings of a possible love interest, which will likely develop in subsequent books in the series. And there’s a reasonable cast of supporting characters.
My full review HERE
Mod
The Third Man
Graham Greene
3.5/5 stars
Rollo Martin (aka Buck Dexter) writes Westerns. Post WWII, his friend Harry Lime invites him to Vienna where he gets swept up in a murder mystery when he finds out his friend Harry is dead. Martin seeks to find out what happened to his friend and gets swept up in the criminal investigation. This was originally first written as film treatment and the book was written afterwards. The movie became a classic starring Orson Welles.
Two For the Dough – Janet Evanovich – 3***
Book two in the series starring totally inept bounty-hunter Stephanie Plum. The great cast of supporting characters carries the series for me: Lula, Steph’s long-suffering mother, and especially Grandma Mazur. A fast, fun read.
My full review HERE
Because Of Winn-Dixie – Kate DiCamillo – 5***** and a ❤
DiCamillo has written a lovely book that deals with some serious issues. India and her father struggle to come to grips with their new reality now that her mother has left and they’ve moved to a new community. But with the help of a smiling dog, they begin to heal. No, everything doesn’t turn out perfect, but DiCamillo gives her readers a sense of hope that India (and her father) will come out of this period of their lives with full hearts.
My full review HERE
Library Lovers
Books mentioned in this topic
Most Likely to Succeed (other topics)Ashfall (other topics)
News of the World (other topics)
Simon the Fiddler (other topics)
The Best of Richard Matheson (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Richard Matheson (other topics)Richard Matheson (other topics)
Richard Matheson (other topics)
Richard Matheson (other topics)
Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (other topics)
More...
3 stars
[bookcover:Funny, You Don't Look Autistic: A Comedian's Guide to Life on the S..."
Thanks. That's the Big Library Read on OverDrive. If I decide to do it I'll do it as audio.