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Book Reviews
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Books You’re on the Fence About - 2023
The World According to Bertie – Alexander McCall Smith – 3***
Book four in the 44 Scotland Street series continues the varied stories of the current (or former) residents of the apartment complex. What I love about the ensemble series is that each book gives us just a glimpse into their lives. We pick up where the last book left off, and end with many issues still unresolved. It’s the same way we encounter casual friends, catching up when we see them, but not knowing how things will turn out once we depart. And yet, happy to see them again and catch up once more.
LINK to my full review
A New Race of Men from Heaven by Chaitali Sen
This short story might work for literary fiction lovers, but the endings left me dissatisfied.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
How to rate a book that’s so well written but so violent as to be disturbing? On the Savage Side
is such a book. I rated it four stars, but it’s a conundrum. My review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Reading List – Sara Nisha Adams – 3.5***
A troubled teen with a summer job in the library and an aging widower who still feels lost without his wife forge an unlikely alliance based on a reading list found tucked into a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird . This is a very good debut for Adams. The characters are complex and have a variety of issues. On the surface one wouldn’t expect them to have anything in common or to be able to relate to one another at all. But Adams brings them together, first by happenstance, and slowly by shared experiences and their individuals needs for human connection.
LINK to my full review
Girls, Crimes, and the Ruling Body by Barry R. ZimanMy review 3.5★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Great Or Nothing – Joy McCullough, Caroline Tung Richmond, Tess Sharpe, Jessica Spotswood – 3***
This re-imagined Little Women set during World War II began when Jessica Spotswood posted a story idea she found daunting on Twitter. Her fellow authors joined with her to flesh out this story where Jo is queer and working in a factory, Amy has run away to join the Red Cross in London. With four authors, the four sisters had more equal roles than in the original work, which really focused on Jo. And, while the time frame is World War II, this is NOT a soldier’s story, but of how the women left behind dealt with their fears, and rose to the challenge of supporting those fighting overseas.
LINK to my full review
Beautiful On the Outside – Adam Rippon – 3.5***
Memoir of Olympic medalist and self-proclaimed America’s Sweetheart Adam Rippon. Gosh this was fun! Rippon details his life growing up as the oldest of six children, and the sacrifices his mother made to help him achieve his dream of making it to the Olympics. From his childhood in Scranton, Pennsylvania to the independent Adam being too poor to eat anything but the free apples at his gym, he covers it all with grace and humor, while sharing the life lessons he learned. Rippon is more than just a pretty face (and the world’s BEST spinner), he’s also a thoughtful and assertive spokesperson for LGBTQ rights. I’ve always loved his skating, but now I love HIM even more!
LINK to my full review
The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle – Matt Cain – 3***
A 64-year-old postman about to retire decides to make one more effort at finding his lost love. This was just delightful. My heart went out to Albert and I loved watching him bloom as he slowly made efforts to truly connect with the people on his route, and to begin searching for his lost love. Once Albert comes out of himself a bit he learns that many other people have struggles and face heartaches of their own. He learns much about compassion and friendship, and learns to open up and live rather than just exist. He certainly deserves his HEA!
LINK to my full review
Other Worlds Were Possible by Joss Sheldon
A historical literary fiction. Mixed feelings about this one. Great intent, okay execution. Quite thought-provoking though.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Bearing in mind I’m not a fan of romance novels Romantic Comedy
only partially worked for me. My 3.5 star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket – John Boyne – 3***
Eleanor and Alistair Brocket are perfectly normal, and that is what they want. But their youngest child, Barnaby, is decidedly and obviously “different.” This is a fable and a children’s adventure story full of improbable and exciting adventures but teaching a lesson about acceptance and compassion and courage. The entire story is a lesson on tolerance.
LINK to my full review
Stealing by Margaret Verble
Had much potential, but the writing didn't work for me.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Dan's Hauntastic Haunts Investigates: Goodman Dairy - Alex Silver
Genera" M/M Romance/Paranormal
3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed – Helene Tursten – 3***
Book two in a very short series featuring nearly-90-year-old Maud and the people who irritate and annoy her and deserve what they get. This picks up where the first book left off, and the plot alternates between her current trip to South Africa and memories of past encounters, where she got even with those who crossed her. Maud’s an astute observer and prides herself on being a quick thinker. And, of course, who pays any attention to a little old lady?
LINK to my full review
\A Change of Seasons - Khurram Elahi
Genera: Drama
3★
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 3.09 rounded to 3 stars review of Bright and Deadly Things
by Lexie Elliott: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Great characterization and atmosphere were the highlights for me in this mystery. However, the pacing felt somewhat uneven with some slow spots and the ending wrapped up a little too neatly and quickly. Additionally, the suspense didn't leave me with the sense of urgency that I wanted to feel.
: One L – Scott Turow – 3.5***
Subtitle: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School. Turow wrote this memoir just after his first year of law school, and it was published before he had graduated. I was very interested in the psychology of his experience. Turow and his fellow , all high-achievers when they arrived, were thrown into a competitive atmosphere where they felt pitted against one another, with the result that many of them began to seriously doubt themselves and became suspicious of their colleagues. The stress – both external and self-imposed – was palpable.
LINK to my full review
I'd say just skip this one unless you love everything by this author
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Unstable Connections - Nicky James - (Canada)
Valor & Doyal series Book #3
Genera: M/M Romance/Police Procedural
3★
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Five Days at Memorial
tackles an interesting subject. But the writing was dry and dull. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Boys From Biloxi
was all telling not showing. My 3.5 star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I listened to
The Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And I listened to
Anne Frank: Her Life and Legacy by Jemma J. Saunders.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Small Wonder – Barbara Kingsolver – 3.5***
This is a series of essays Kingsolver wrote in the year following the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center. Kingsolver can come across as preachy, but she also writes elegant passages about the restorative power of connecting with nature. There’s plenty of horrible in the world still, but reading this book of essays reminds me of those things will can help relieve the terror, fear, anguish, and find joy and hope again. I read this as a book, and it’s due back at the library now, but I think this is a collection that would be good to have handy to read a chapter or two every once in a while
LINK to my full review
The Grief Nurse by Angie Spoto
A missed opportunity here, because it had plenty of potential. Might work for fantasy lit-fic lovers.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Old Babes in the Wood: Stories by Margaret Atwood
An anthology by the acclaimed writer. Pretty good, though I wanted more.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Notekeeper by Hannah Treave
Will work better for the right reader. It wasn't my kind of story.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Nothing Special - A.E. Via - (Georgia)
Nothing Special series Book #1
Narrator: Aiden Snow
Genera: M/M Romance/Police Procedural
3.5★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden
Good enough, but I enjoyed the first book far more. This isn't as dark.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
We Hear Voices - Evie Green - (England)
Genera: Science Fiction
3★
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Night Wherever We Go by Tracey Rose Peyton
Good story, writing could have been better.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Love to Last a Lifetime by Clare Swatman
I am on a roll of average reads! :(
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here's my 3.3 rounded to 3 stars review of Missing Clarissa
by Ripley Jones:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Young adult mystery
Overall, this was intriguing, entertaining, and had an action packed ending with diverse characters. However, some of the items revealed in the interviews seemed unrealistic for adults to divulge to teenagers.
The Villa was like two different books. The last 20% was pretty good but the first 80% was a slog. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Dark Days Club - Alison Goodman - (England)
Lady Helen Series Book #1
Genera: Historical Fantasy/Paranormal/Young Adult
3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...
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Friends Sharing Book Love
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This one is not up to the author's usual high standards.
My Review