Union County Library discussion
What I'm Reading Now
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How Not to Drown In a Glass of Water – Angie Cruz – 3.5****
What an interesting way to tell this story! The reader comes to know Cara through her monologues, interspersed with copies of job notices, psychological and interest assessments, and forms she has completed. There are times when I wanted to laugh at her antics and her odd logic. Yet, I could not help but empathize with her and her situation.
LINK to my full review
The Measure – Nikki Erlick – 5*****
It begins with a surprise delivery. All over the world, adults receive a box. A seemingly plain wooden box with an inscription: The measure of your life lies within. Will knowing your relative fate help you live your best life? Will it hinder you? This is a remarkable debut work of literary fiction. I don’t remember the last time a work of literature made me think so long and hard about my life, my goals, my experiences, my dreams.
LINK to my full review
The Frozen River – Ariel Lawhon – 4****
This novel came to my attention because it was a selection for my F2F book club. It took me a while to really get into the story but once I did, I was completely captured by it.
The murder “mystery” is less important really than the characters in this book. Martha Ballard is one strong, opinionated, intelligent, empathetic and courageous woman! I loved the way in which she stood up for herself and for others.
LINK to my full review
A Slow Fire Burning – Paula Hawkins – 3***
If you like unreliable narrators, this is the book for you. Hawkins gives us not one, not two, but a plethora of unreliable narrators to tell this twisty tale of dysfunctional families and murder. It’s not great literature, but it certainly held my attention.
LINK to my full review
Artistic License – Julie Hyzy – 3***
I came to know Hyzy through her White House Chef cozy mystery series. A challenge to read an author’s debut work had me looking back at a number of favorite author’s first works, which is how I came across this one. I got hooked on the storyline and was entertained by the entire book. It was a quick, fast read that didn’t require much thinking. Perfect for an escape from all the stuff that’s going on in real life right now.
LINK to my full review
Taste – Stanley Tucci – 4****
This a delightful memoir of Tucci’s life, told through his relationship with food. At times irreverent, even downright profane, Tucci does not hold back in expressing his love of certain dishes, restaurants and traditions. He writing is warm, inviting, informative, funny, and charming.
LINK to my full review
Second Chance Grill – Christine Nolfi – 2.5** rounded up
The plot is both typical and unrealistic (think Hallmark movie), but the book fit a couple of challenges. Perfect light romance to fill the time when I was laid low by COVID. Glad to get this one off the tbr.
LINK to my full review
The Tropic of Serpents – Marie Brennan – 3.5***
Book two in the “Memoirs of Lady Trent” alternate history / fantasy series. It is written as a memoir by the elderly Isabella Camherst, recalling her youth and adventures as a natural historian specializing in dragons. Isabella is a wonderful heroine – intelligent, tenacious, confident, intrepid, resilient and courageous. I also really appreciated how Brennan wove in some political issues involving colonialism, economics, the cultures of different indigenous groups, and the devastation of fragile ecological systems in the name of “progress.”
LINK to my full review
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women – Lisa See – 4****
See based this work of historical fiction on a real woman physician in 15th century China, Tan Yunxian. What a fascinating woman, and a marvelous story! I learned much about the lives of the wealthier, highly educated class in this era of Chinese history, in particular the secluded lives of the women in this class. See gave us glimpses of the world outside the compound’s walls through the experiences of a midwife who lived in the town and was free to travel.
LINK to my full review
Union County Library wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "Do you just want a list? Or do you want reviews / reactions?"Hi, BC! It is completely up to you. Whether you would like to simply leave a list or incorporate some commentar..."
Well, I'm the only person who has posted here since June. And since I do not live in your community, I think I'm going to stop posting.
Mod
Hi, BC! It is completely up to you. Whether you would like to simply leave a list ..."
We're sorry to see you go - we've enjoyed reading your reviews.
Mod
I just started reading Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino. I'm really enjoying it so far. Just finished The Fellowship of the Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr, which was a solid four star read for me. Great characters and a fun journey.
World of Wonders – Aimee Nezhukumatathil – 5*****
Subtitle: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments. I loved this collection of essays about the natural world. Nezhukumatathil’s writing transported me to various scenes – from tropical jungles to Arctic oceans to urban parks and my own backyard. I got this book from the library to read for my book club, but I’m going to buy a copy to keep (and maybe a few more to give as gifts). And I look forward to reading more of her writing.
LINK to my full review
Demon Copperhead – Barbara Kingsolver – 5*****
Kingsolver’s Pulitzer-prize winning novel is a re-telling of Charles Dickens’s David Copperfield set in Appalachia. Like the original, the book explores the effects of poverty, especially on children. Oh, but this was sad and tugged at my heartstrings. Certainly, there were moments, even years-long stretches of time when Demon was well cared for and seemed to have beaten the odds, but it seemed that his entire life was destined for one bad break after another. Yet, despite his faults, Demon stole my heart and I was cheering for him by the end.
LINK to my full review
Something Like Home – Andrea Beatriz Arango – 4****
This is a moving novel in verse written for middle-school-age children, dealing with foster care. As the novel opens, Laura is en route to her aunt’s apartment, accompanied by a social worker from DSS. My heart broke for Laura. But she is a resilient child, clearly intelligent but confused by her situation. When she finds a neglected and abandoned puppy, however, she begins to open up to the court-appointed guardian and to her aunt and insists that they listen to her point of view when formulating a plan for her care. Brava, Laura!
LINK to my full review
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Betsy just finished Snapdragon and is currently reading Onyx Storm.
Maggie just finished Servant of Earth
Kate just finished Gwen & Art Are Not in Love and is currently reading Truly, Devious
Abby just finished The God of the Woods and is reading One by One.
Tom Lake – Ann Patchett – 5*****
This character-driven story set during the COVID pandemic is the kind of literary fiction that I love. I was completely captured by this tale about love - the reckless abandon of youth, the quiet strength of long-term relationships, the fierce protection of a parent for a child. I loved the relationships between the Nelson family members. Their solid foundation of love and respect gives them the grace to open their hearts to others, which is so beautifully shown in the ending.
LINK to my full review
Candide – Voltaire – 4****
This is perhaps Voltaire’s best-known work. The novella follows the callow Candide as he travels the world searching for his true love, Cunégonde, accompanied by his faithful servant / companion Cacambo. Voltaire managed to skewer virtually all “important” institutions of the day in this satirical fable. Among his adventures across the globe, Candide comes across Jesuits, the Inquisition, cannibals, El Dorado, pirates, an old woman, healers, merchants, etc. He frequently relies on the teachings of Pangloss to see him through, maintaining optimism in the face of adversity.
LINK to my full review
Esperanza Rising – Pam Muñoz Ryan – 5 stars and a ♥
A middle-school novel that explores the experiences of Mexican migrants working the fields of California at the beginning of the Great Depression. What I really love about this story is that Esperanza is a realistic 13-year-old. Esperanza does finally realize that it is up to her to change her attitude; she must learn to let go of the past and to embrace that she is rich in the love of family and friends. The author note at the end is well-worth reading for the history lesson it imparts.
LINK to my updated review
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Nate is currently reading The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. It's a big one!
Betsy just finished One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid and just started The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear.
Tracy just finished This Is a Love Story by Jessica Soffer.
Ashleigh just finished Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret – Brian Selznick – 5***** & a ❤
What a treasure! This inventive, unusual novel in words and pictures won the Caldecott medal for illustration. The book is intended for children, but will delight adults as well. The story of Hugo, Isabelle and Papa Georges is enthralling, and kept me guessing. But the drawings … oh, the drawings! They are rich and subtle and complex and detailed, showing incredible depth of field and use of light and shadow.
LINK to my full review
The Wind Knows My Name – Isabel Allende – 4****
Allende explores the immigrant experience, and particularly the heart-wrenching separation of children from their parents with a dual timeline: 1938 Austria and 2019 Arizona. My heart broke for both these families. I particularly liked how the two storylines eventually connect, improbable though that may be. It’s an emotionally difficult book to read and made me sad to recognize how little we have learned from history.
LINK to my full review
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Suzanne is reading The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister.
Stephanie M. just started Back After This by Linda Holmes.
Ashleigh started The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose.
Carolina just finished The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall and gave it 4 stars!
Just Mercy – Bryan Stevenson – 4****
Subtitle: A Story of Justice and Redemption. Bryan Stevenson was a young attorney when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, dedicated to defending those most desperate and in need. This was compelling and inspiring. Stevenson was up against a system that had been born of deeply entrenched fear and hatred and racism. For him “liberty and justice for all” are not just words but a call to action.
LINK to my full review
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Stephanie M. read Not Another Love Song and gave it five stars.
Maggie read Aurora Rising and gave it four stars.
Amy H, one of our children's specialists, gave five stars to The Great Dinosaur Sleepover and Bird Bath.
Kacey gave four stars to Beautiful Ugly.
Betsy read and loved Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation.
The Supreme Macaroni Company – Adriana Trigiani – 3.5***
This is the third installment in the story of the Angelini Shoe Company in Greenwich Village, New York. I really like Trigiani’s books. She features strong heroines with complex backgrounds and conflicted feelings. They almost always end happily, or at least hopefully … even though there is plenty of tragedy involved (and isn’t life, itself, like that?).
LINK to my full review
Mod
Stephanie M. gave Great Big Beautiful Life 5 stars.
Tracy is currently reading My Friends.
Maggie gave Princess of Blood 5 enthusiastic stars!
Amy H. gave 5 stars to her new favorite picture book, Don't Trust Fish.
Suzanne gave On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century 5 stars.
Ashleigh is currently reading The Perfect Divorce.
What recent reads would you give 5 stars?
American Like Me – America Ferrara (editor) – 4****
Subtitle: Reflections on Life Between Cultures. America Ferrara is the editor (and contributor) to this collection of essays. Some of the stories are humorous, some heartbreakingly touching. All are honest and poignant and heartfelt.
LINK to my full review
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Jessica finished The Maid's Secret and is currently reading Under Loch and Key.
Robin is making her way through The Stand, which is quite an undertaking!
Tracy finished The Lost Book of First Loves and gave it four stars.
Ashleigh gave Big Game five stars!
Stephanie is currently reading Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls.
Nate read Dungeon Crawler Carl and The Fury of the Gods. He gave both five stars!
: The Legend of the Bluebonnet – Tomie DePaola – 5*****
This is a lovely children’s story book that relates some of the Native American legends about the wildflower that is the Texas state flower – the Bluebonnet. It’s a wonderful lesson about family, community, sacrifice and selflessness. Beautiful illustrations, too.
LINK to my full review
The Soul Of an Octopus – Sy Montgomery – 4.5**** (rounded up)
Subtitle: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness. Montgomery spent a year volunteering at the New England Aquarium to study and learn about octopuses. This is her memoir of that time, and it’s marvelous!
LINK to my full review
Union County Library
Books mentioned in this topic
The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness (other topics)The Legend of the Bluebonnet: An Old Tale of Texas (other topics)
The Lost Book of First Loves (other topics)
The Stand (other topics)
The Maid's Secret (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
S.K. Waters (other topics)Amanda Cassidy (other topics)
Emily St. John Mandel (other topics)
Behold the Dreamers – Imbolo Mbue – 4****
Mbue explores the “American Dream” through an immigrant family’s experiences. What a powerful and insightful look at the immigrant experience. Mbue gives us complex characters, fully realized, with all their gifts and faults. At times I sympathized even with the “villains” of the story. Mbue made me think about the complexity of immigration policy. In the end, though, my money is on the Jonga family. They are more than dreamers. They are winners.
LINK to my full review