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2021 Reads and Reviews ~ Anything goes
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I remember reading something very similar many years ago but I know it wasn't this book. And I'm not even sure what the title was or the author any longer. But this sounds very interesting.
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Ava Gardner: The Secret Conversations
Peter Evans
4/5 stars
Peter Evans interviews Ava Gardener about her life before Hollywood, her movie career and the famous men she loved including Frank Sinatra, Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw and Howard Hughes. Ava wasn't sure she wanted the book published and stopped the interviews but it was eventually published after her death.
The Whole Cat and Caboodle – Sofie Ryan – 3***
Book # 1 in the Second Chance Cat Mystery series, featuring Sarah Grayson, proprietor of Second Chance, a consignment shop in North Harbor, Maine, and her rescue cat, Elvis. This is a cute cozy mystery with a decent premise and a wonderful cast of colorful supporting characters. I love that the crew of senior sleuths is christened “Charlie’s Angels” … with a nod to the movie, NOT the original TV series! I’ll keep reading this series.
My full review HERE
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Look Alive Twenty-Five
Janet Evanovich
4/5 stars
Stephanie and her crew are back investigating the disappearances of 3 managers of the Red River Deli and the only clues are the missing shoes of the managers in the parking lot. Always a fun light mystery!
Listening For Lions – Gloria Whelan – 4****
This is a lovely YA / middle-school-grade novel with some important lessons about doing what is right, and honoring your parents and elders. Rachel is a worthy heroine; she’s intelligent, principled, compassionate and a hard worker. I love the way that she interacts with others and considers the possible effects of her words and actions before moving forward.
My full review HERE
Cutting For Stone – Abraham Verghese – 5***** and a ❤
This is an epic story of twin boys, born of an Indian nun and a British surgeon in an Ethiopian hospital, but raised by two other Indian physicians and the staff of Missing Hospital. Verghesse is a masterful storyteller, who wields his pen with surgical precision. The landscape and characters come to life on the page, letting the reader experience the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures of Ethiopia and the hospitals both there and in New York where Marion finishes his training.
My full review HERE
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On Animals
Susan Orlean
4/5 stars
Susan Orlean is one of my favorite authors and this book containing interesting short non-fiction accounts about animals doesn't disappoint. One of the most interesting stories was about the orca whale Willy, who lived in a park in a very small tank while people rallied to have him freed but she also expounds on the real life stories involving coyotes, cats, pet tigers and other animals. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Devil’s Food Cake Murder – Joanne Fluke – 2.5**
Book # 14 in the Hannah Swenson cozy mystery series and she STILL hasn’t made up her mind on which suitor – dentist Norman or lawman Mike – to accept. Looks like the boys may be making the decision for her. Yes, there’s a murder, and yes, Hannah MUST investigate. But she also bakes a lot of goodies. The recipes are probably what I like best about the series.
My full review HERE
Book Concierge wrote: " Devil’s Food Cake Murder
– Joanne Fluke – 2.5**
Book # 14 in the Hannah Swenson cozy mystery series and she STILL hasn’t made up her mind on which..."
I gave up on reading these books. Hannah gets married, eventually to someone and when I found out who I just gave up. Just could not read them any more. Yes the recipes are good, but I'll just copy them out and put the book back on the library shelf.
Becoming Superman: A Writer's Journey from Poverty to Hollywood with Stops Along the Way at Murder, Madness, Mayhem, Movie Stars, Cults, Slums, Sociopaths, and War Crimes by Michael Straczynski4 stars
I am not a sci-fi fan and had never heard of this author, but there are a lot of other things going on in this book. Overcoming childhood abuse is a major topic. Love how this author didn't let obstacles stand in his way. He went after what he wanted. It also helped that he was extremely talented. Loved that he researched everything he wrote about and didn't just write as he alone remembered it. I felt he was humble and kind. It didn't feel like a 'look who I know' memoir or 'look what I have accomplished. One star deducted because I would have liked to have read more about his relationship with his wife and more about having Asperger's, which was only mentioned once.
The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna – Juliet Grames – 3.5***
In her debut novel, Grames explores the lives of two sisters and the rift between them. Spanning a century we follow Stella Fortuna from her birth in a small Italian village at the beginning of the 20th century, through her family’s immigration to America, to the birth of successive generations, until she is an old woman mostly confined to bed and still “at war” with her younger sister, Tina, who lives just across the street. I love family sagas and this one is epic. I really enjoyed this book but hated the title and device of “seven or eight deaths” – it just seems so contrived.
My full review HERE
Caged Heat, by Wensley Clarkson3 lukewarm stars
This was just okay. Not really up to the author's usual standard. Several capsule summaries of super-famous cases and just a half-handful of new ones. In only a single case did the author appear to have personally interviewed the inmate in question. There was a disturbing emphasis on the level of the convicts' sex drives, something I have never seen in a TC about a male suspect or convict unless he was a serial killer. But a few of the stories were interesting.
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The Devil's Mercedes: The Bizarre and Disturbing Adventures of Hitler’s Limousine in America
Robert Klara
4/5 stars
This non-fiction book revolves around two of the cars that Mercedes-Benz built for Hitler and his staff and the mystery of what happened to the car that Hitler used. The story starts when an American soldier captures one of Hitler’s cars at the end of the war and finagles his way on to a ship back to the USA with the car. After that, things get murky, the soldier believes it was Hitler’s personal car and others thought it was Himmler’s and it took years before the mystery was solved. This was quite interesting!
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Sometimes You Have to Lie: The Life and Times of Louise Fitzhugh, Renegade Author of Harriet the Spy
Leslie Brody
3.5/5 stars
This is an in-depth look at the life and times of Louise Fitzhugh, author of Harriet The Spy. I remember reading her famous book as a child and enjoying it, never knowing any of her background until I read this book. Very interesting!
Concrete Rose – Angie Thomas – 4****
In this prequel to The Hate U Give , Thomas gives us the young Maverick Carter, a 17-year-old gang member struggling to find his path to manhood. I can really see how this young man, hardly out of childhood, is being influenced – by his peers, by his parents, by other adults in his neighborhood and school, and by the expectations of society. Thomas writes about a realistic urban environment for many families, with brutal honesty and empathy. She does not shy away from the serious social issues facing these families, nor does she offer platitudes or pat answers on how to address these issues.
My full review HERE
The Weight of Heaven – Thirty Umrigar – 5*****
Reeling from the loss of their son, Frank and Ellie Benton accept an opportunity to relocate to India to run a factory. But they cannot escape their grief, and Frank’s obsession with the son of a local couple drives a wedge between both couples. This is the third book by Umrigar that I have read, and the third time I’ve rated her work 5-stars. It is an intense and heartbreakingly real story. The tragedy of this couple’s story is inevitable though none the less shocking.
My full review HERE
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Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood
Trevor Noah
4/5 stars
Trevor Noah talks about his life with his mother and family living in South
Africa as a child and the tribulation that living as a child of mixed parentage caused because it was crime at that time. I could not put this book down. Noah does a great job writing about his life.
City of Secrets – Stewart O’Nan – 3***
Set in 1945 Jerusalem, the novel follows Brand, a survivor of the Holocaust, as he tries to make a new life working with the resistance. I love O’Nan’s ability to put you into the mind of his characters – to understand their hopes, ambitions, and fears. But this was perhaps too intense for me at this time. I appreciated it more than I enjoyed it.
My full review HERE
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A Very Punchable Face
Colin Jost
4/5 stars
Colin Jost has been a member of Saturday Night Live since 2005 in which he has written skits, acted on the show and has been the Weekend Update co-anchor. He grew up on Staten Island and in this book, he goes over his life and career at SNL. If you are a fan of SNL, you will definitely enjoy this book!
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Harriet the Spy
Louise Fitzhugh
4/5 stars
This is a wonderful children’s book about Harriet, a young girl who likes to spy on others and keeps track of her efforts in a notebook. However, things are not going well with her. First, her longtime nanny leaves the family and then she loses her notebook which the other kids find. Will her friends ever forgive her? I read this a long time ago but I had just read the author's biography this year and wanted to re-visit Harriet's story.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Other Tales of Terror – Robert Louis Stevenson – 3***
Classic horror from a master of Victorian gothic fiction. I appreciate the atmospheric nature of Stevenson’s writing, and his use of psychological / moral themes. But the language seems over the top as compared to more modern writers.
My full review HERE
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Easy Crafts for the Insane: A Mostly Funny Memoir of Mental Illness and Making Things
Kelly Williams Brown
3.5/5 stars
Brown talks about her life when everything is falling apart, her marriage breaks up and she is trying to move forward. One of things that helps her is crafting and you will find craft projects in-between the chapters about her life. The memoir was well written and interesting but as for the crafts projects, I just scanned them.
Shuggie Bain – Douglas Stuart – 5*****
Stuart’s debut work explores the impoverished working-class families of 1980s Glasgow. Hugh “Shuggie” Bain is the youngest child of Agnes, and much of the story focuses on his efforts to understand and deal with his mother’s alcoholism and depression. Shuggie is tender, kind, and lonely, but he is also resilient and brave. Stuart makes the reader privy to the most intimate details of their lives, This makes their descent all the more painful to watch. There is no neat happy ending here, but there is some hope for Shuggie.
My full review HERE
Being Mortal – Atul Gawande – 5*****
I re-read this for my F2F book club meeting. I’m older now and the issues are more personal, rather than just familial. Wonderful discussion at book club, and continued discussions with my husband and brothers. READ IT!
My full review HERE But skip the review and just read this book!
Desperation, Stephen King4 stars!
Now this one was really cool. I just loved the way it unfolded and got crazier and crazier until it was batsh!t insane. It has that combination of utter Stephen King practicality, enough Christianity to make THE EXORCIST look kind of secular, and at the bottom of it all an indescribable Lovecraftian horror. Good, good stuff.
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The Dutch House
Ann Patchett
4/5 stars
This is the story of two siblings, Danny and his sister Maeve who early in the book lived with their father in the Dutch House while he is estranged from his wife. With the influx of a new wife and 2 step sisters, they leave the house and go their own ways eventually realizing that sometimes things work out in a certain way and you have no control over it. Very well written! I had previously read Bel Canto by Ann Patchett which I liked and I would read more of her work.
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The Birds and Other Stories
Daphne du Maurier
4/5 stars
This was a collection of stories by the writer Daphne du Maurier. The first short story is The Birds which was the inspiration for Hitchcock’s film of the same title. I have never read any of her stories before and never realized that she wrote very dark stories but I enjoyed them. I would like to read more of her.
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Fan Fiction: A Mem-Noir: Inspired by True Events
Brent Spiner
3.5/5 stars
This is a semi-non-fictional story about the time Brent Spiner who played Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation had a stalker. I enjoyed it and am a fan of Star Trek. I am not sure of those not familiar with the series would it enjoy it.
The Midnight Library – Matt Haig – 2.5**
I was intrigued at the beginning, especially by the basic premise of getting to experience a different life, even if just for a few moments. I was also interested in the concept of parallel universes and found myself thinking about how my life might be different if I had made other choices. However, the novel just didn’t work for me. I grew tired of the one-sentence “Hallmark card” philosophy spouted by the librarian (or sometimes by Nora). And I could see the ending coming a mile off. The extra half-star is for the excellent audio performance by Carey Mulligan.
My full review HERE
Dead Sea by Tim Curran3 reluctant stars
This was a great, great story anout what happened when an unlucky ship found itself in a dimension Lovecraft wrote about but didn't dare show us. The author did a great job of showing us what he could of the local ecosystem, its plant life, beasties and other visotors from other times and places. I'm sorry to say my enjoyment was seriously undermined by the terrible copyediting, which jolted me out of the narrative on almost every page.
Even In Paradise – Elizabeth Nunez – 4****
This is a retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear set in the Caribbean. What a wonderful character study! Nunez had me on the edge of my seat a few times, even though I knew the basic story line already. I liked how she wove in current issues of race and class and the history of colonialism (and slavery) in the Caribbean.
My full review HERE
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Almost Interesting
David Spade
4/5 stars
Actor David Spade talks about his life and career in Hollywood. He also talks about Saturday Night Live and the hoops that the actors go through to get to perform on the show. I thought this was a funny and interesting read.
His Name is Ron: Our Search for Justice, by the Goldman family5 stars!
This was an outstanding read. There is probably no way to fully capture what the Goldman family went through after their son Ron was murdered by O.J. Simpson, but this book does a remarkable job. Long stretches of the story took place in courtrooms, which usually makes for a tedious read, but the authors pulled it all together in a way that made me miss sleep because I had to keep reading. This is especially remarkable considering that I already knew going in how it was going to come out. The other great strength of this book is I came away with a real sense of who Ron Goldman was, a taste of his personality, as well as a sense of the personality of the Goldman family. So many books of this type just don't give you that. Now I feel I know what we all lost, what the world lost when O.J. stabbed Ron Goldman to death. Read this one!
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5 stars!
This was an outstanding read. There is probably no way to fully capture what the Goldman family went through ..."
Added to my list!
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A Carnival of Snackery: Diaries 2003-2020
David Sedaris
4.5/5 stars
This book contains excerpts from his diaries from 2003-2020. I really enjoy his humor and was sorry when I finished his book.
My James: The Heartrending Story of James Bulger by His Father by Ralph Bulger4 stars
This was so intense and horrific that I had to take breaks from the book as I went along. It's Ralph Bulger's POV on the hideous murder of his toddler son, James, by 2 ten-year-old boys, and all the baffling injustices that followed over the next 20 years as the Bulgers' marriage was destroyed, the killers were treated like special guests of the Crown and the author turned to years of binge drinking to cope. Raw, intense and at times nightmarish. I learned something about the legal system in the UK and how it fails crime victims. I mean, I get completely that nobody saw this coming but that's no excuse for leaving the Bulgers high and dry. Read it if you dare.
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Brat: An '80s Story
Andrew McCarthy
Andrew McCarthy talks about his start in Hollywood and the roles he played in the 1980's. I enjoyed it.
Eva Luna – Isabel Allende – 4****
I’m already a huge fan of Allende’s magical realism, and this book did not disappoint. I loved the many characters – from the Lebanese merchant to the petty criminal/guerrilla leader to the transsexual entertainer. As Eva tells the story of her life, she tells the story of this South American nation – of corruption, class struggle, feast and famine. The story comes alive with saints and ghosts, servants and political leaders equally profiled, skewered and cherished.
My full review HERE
Love Over Scotland – Alexander McCall Smith – 3***
Book # 3 in the 44 Scotland Street series which follows a group of residents (current or former) of a particular apartment building in Edinburgh. There’s not much plot to these books, but just as in everyday life, things DO happen. There are moments of joy, or heartache, of success, or failure. People form attachments, or break off relationships, start new careers or find new enthusiasm for established routines. It’s a gentle read and a wonderful way to spend a few hours with old friends.
My full review HERE
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Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert's Story
Debbie Tung
4/5 stars
This is a graphic novel about Debbie, an introvert who has to navigate social scenes with intrepidation but she doesn't want to be the shy girl. I thought this was very well done.
Jamaica Inn – Daphne du Maurier – 4****
What a wonderfully atmospheric, dark, sinister tale! I shivered with the damp, cold fog, strained to see by faint candle or lamp light, listened to the alternating whispers and shouts of a rabble of men up to no good. Mary Yellan is a marvelous heroine. Young and somewhat naïve, she is still a strong woman, resolute and determined to make the best of her situation. Du Maurier’s plot is intricate and complex and had several twists & turns in it. I wish there were a sequel so I could find out what Mary Yellen is like as an older woman!
My full review HERE
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The Art Forger – Barbara A. Shapiro – 3.5***
Claire Roth is an aspiring artist who is making a living (just) by painting reproductions of old masters. And then she’s approached with an opportunity she cannot resist. Set against the backdrop of the infamous art theft at the Isabella Stewart Garner Museum in Boston – still the largest unsolved art heist in history – this is a marvelously intricate story. My feelings about Claire kept changing as I learned more of her backstory. Still, I was engaged from beginning to end and Shapiro kept me turning pages to see what would happen next.
My full review HERE
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The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History
Robert M. Edsel
4/5 stars
I had seen the film based on the book years ago and enjoyed it but the book is so much better and interesting than the film as the author follows the men and women as they search for the hidden treasures stolen by Hitler's men during and after the last months of WWII .
Dashing Through the Snow – Debbie Macomber – 3***
Last minute plans to travel from San Francisco to Seattle nearly thwart Ashley Davison and Dashiell Sutherland. Stranded at the airport they decide to share the last remaining rental car. Their road to HEA includes several detours: an abandoned puppy, a pair of petty thieves, and an FBI agent who has mistakenly identified one of them as an international terrorist. But never fear. It’s a holiday rom com and a lovely distraction, so curl up in a comfy chair, with a warm blanket and the beverage of your choice and enjoy.
LINK to my full review
Much Ado About You – Samantha Young – 3***
Evie Starling, a thirty-three Chicagoan who’s just broken up with her boyfriend and been disappointed one time too many at work, decides to take a Bookshop Holiday in England to re-evaluate and regroup. She doesn’t expect to meet the devastatingly handsome local sheep farmer (and his even cuter dog). A charming rom com with all the usual tropes. Perfect for a light holiday read.
LINK to my full review
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Much Ado About You (other topics)Dashing Through the Snow (other topics)
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The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox – Maggie O’Farrell – 3***
There’s so much going on here I hardly know where to start. There’s the mystery of Esme’s commitment to the mental, Iris’s mess of a love life, and the intrigue of Iris’s “brother, who is really no blood relation” Alex. I thought it was rather melodramatic as well as being disjointed, but that ending – that wonderfully ambiguous and ethereal ending! Well, she got an extra half-star for that final scene.
My full review HERE