Lora Terrill

Book #5:

What Really Happens in Vegas by James Patterson (Length: 368 pages) As much as James Patterson annoys me by partnering with various “co” authors who are the ones doing all the work, as someone who used to visit Vegas a bit in the past, I was excited to read this. This book contains lots of great factoids that I didn’t know, such as WHY exactly did Vegas transform from cheap food and free drinks to being super expensive (short answer: Steve Wynn). The behind the scenes looks at the various industries that support Vegas are fascinating. The book is well-organized and is well-written, no thanks to James Patterson of course. ;) Definitely worth a library check out. 

Book #6:

The Drift by C.J. Tudor (Length: 418 pages).  It takes a lot to scare me but this VERY creepy, apocalyptic, set in a pandemic (with a very scary virus that turns people into zombies called “whistlers”) gave me a few nightmares. The novel is set in a few different places–a school bus crash, a mysterious place called The Retreat, and a stalled cable car–all the action is taking place during a winter snowstorm. There are disparate characters in the novel who all end up having some connections, and it was a lot of fun to read this thriller to see what is really going on. The writing is strong, the plot is well-drawn and supremely entertaining. There are some murders but nothing super gruesome. Absolutely worth a read!  

Book #7:

The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren (Length: 101 pages). This novella is #1 in a 6 book Valentine’s Day themed Amazon series called the Improbable Meet Cute collection, each written by a popular rom-com author. They are free with a Prime subscription. I decided to download and read the first five (I’ve heard the last one is not good so I just skipped it). This first novella is by one of my favorite authors and it’s adorable and my favorite of the bunch! Two high schoolers start an anonymous email/pen pal relationship on Valentine’s Day 10 years ago, so we are along for the ride. These authors can make even epistolary rom coms work as the writing is fantastic, the banter between the two love interests in adorable and they have great chemistry. LOVE this one!

Book #8:

Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez (Length: 61 pages). If I had to choose one favorite rom-com author, it’s Abby Jimenez. I recommend her to anyone who is interested in starting to read romances as her writing is excellent and she doesn’t write romances that are too open-door for the average reader. (Start with The Friend Zone of hers if you’re in the same boat). Anyway, this second novella in the series is the sweetest of the series in my opinion. This features a hospice nurse who trades notes with a condo complex maintenance man on the nurse’s car. The nurse just happens to be taking care of her grandma in her last days and her grandma is my favorite character here. But the two love interests are adorable and just plain good people, and I loved how they came together. I would’ve loved a full-length novel with all three of these characters but I’ll take what I can get from this author. (She’s a great follow on Instagram too).

Book #9:

Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne (Length: 44 pages). This one is more of a short story than a novella, but it’s a testament to this author’s writing prowess that she is able to develop such a good romance within so few pages. The set up her is one sister gets stuck in a precarious situation during a spa day with the other sister, and her rescuer just happens to be super-hot. This is the funniest of the series, and there are some LOL lines which I always appreciate in a good rom-com. I loved the unique set up and I’ve got this author’s The Hating Game on my TBR so I hope to check that one out soon. 

Book #1:

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez (Length: 416 pages) This was a Book-of-the-Month pick for me. It’s middle-grade (7th to 9th grade I think?) which isn’t generally a genre I tend to pick up, but the subject matter here grabbed me. It’s set in Egypt in 1884 and is an adventure novel. A young woman leaves Buenos Aires to find out what happened to her archaeologist parents who disappeared while on an excavation of Cleopatra’s tomb. I used to be obsessed with the Amelia Peabody mystery series by author Elizabeth Peters and this reminds me of that vibe. The central mystery and the writing here are decent, and I kept reading to find out what happened. I will say it’s not “too” YA which is nice, and the main character isn’t too angsty. The romance subplot is fine but this is in no way a romance novel. I did enjoy the twist at the end which sets up the second book in the series very nicely. I’d give it 3 stars.

Book #2:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Length: 278 pages).  Thanks to the Serial app, this is another classic that I wanted to re-read as it’s been at least 30 years since my first read. I loved opening up the app each day to read the next part of the Jane and Mr. Darcy saga, and I enjoyed this novel so much more than Jane Eyre. While the spunkiness of the female protagonists is similar in each, the plot was way more captivating in this fun classic. I paired my re-read of this with a re-watch of the BBC series starring Colin Firth, which just added to my enjoyment of both. Perfection! 5 stars, of course. 

Book #3:

Roomies by Christina Lauren (Length: 366 pages). This rom-com was suggested by fans of Christina Lauren as one of their favorites so of course I had to check it out. The premise here is a bit far-fetched: the niece of a famous Broadway composer/producer (think Hamilton-level) discovers and crushes on a cute guitar player in the NY subway, and he happens to be an Irish citizen overstaying his student visa by several years. Cue fake marriage so he can star in (and rescue) said musical. The writing is solid, as always in any CL book, the romantic chemistry is believable, and I wanted to keep reading. And isn’t that all we can ask for with these types of novels, really? 3.5 stars from me. 

Book #4:

Ranger Confidential by Andrea Lankford (Length: 256 pages). I’ve always been fascinated by the career of park rangers, and this book satisfied my curiosity (ie, I’m good with my chosen career but very impressed and grateful to those who’ve chosen to be our national park stewards). This book contains true accounts by park rangers across the United States, with the majority of the stories occurring in the Grand Canyon and Yosemite parks. The writing quality here isn’t stellar, but that’s not why we read these books. These accounts are completely fascinating and delve into rescues, investigations, arrest and park visitors’ general stupidity. Just the section on the number of suicides at the Grand Canyon post the Thelma and Louise movie in the 1990s is worth the price of admission here. Definitely a fun and educational read–worth a library checkout.

Book #6:

A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin (Length: 336 pages) This is such a fun read! A la the Bridgerton series (which I haven’t read), this is a Regency-era romance where the eldest daughter of 5 heads to London in the early 1800s to find a wealthy man to save her sisters from destitution after their parents pass away. I adore the sharp repartee and snarky dialogue between the main characters, and shenanigans abound. This typically isn’t my cup of tea but I couldn’t put this one down because it’s so well-written and the marriage plot is out loud and proud–a very memorable plot and book and I LOVED it! 

Book #7:

The Last Flight by Julie Clark (Length: 283 pages).  This is a thriller that I’ve had in my Kindle for a while. A bit of a stressful read about two women who switch flights and lives, as both are escaping from harrowing situations. One of the women is the wife of a popular politician, and she’s got quite a bit to lose if she’s discovered. The plot is VERY propulsive (ie, don’t start right before bedtime), if not super-believable. You absolutely need to set aside your disbelief at the coincidences that have to occur for this plot to work. The writing is strong and very descriptive, and I couldn’t wait to see where the author was taking both of the women. 

Book #8:

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (Length: 436 pages). For some reason, I always thought I had read this classic but it turns out I hadn’t. I was aware of the general plot but didn’t know all of the details. I loaded this one up on the free Serial reading app, which breaks down classics into daily installments of 8-15 minutes a day until you complete the novel. I looked forwarded to each new installment and would read during my lunch hour at work. Obviously the male lead characters (both Rochester and St John) are VERY misogynistic in how they treat and address women, which was of the time period of course but I still found their patronizing tone and condescension toward Jane to be very annoying. The writing is also uber-flowery, again, characteristic of the writing of the time period, but I’m glad I finally read this one and I’m very glad I wasn’t born in this time period. 

Book #9:

Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh (Length: 352 pages). I was in the mood for a true holiday rom-com and this title was mentioned as one of the better ones. I agree! This is officially my favorite holiday romance ever. The set up is 2 Irish college students in the U.S. head home each Christmas for an entire decade, and over the years their friendship develops into something more, step by slow step.  The central romance is believable, yet not sickeningly sweet, the dialogue is snappy and FUNNY, and holy chemistry, Batman! I give this one 5 stars. 

Book #10:

Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren (Length: 320 pages). This mouthful of a title rom-com was suggested by a host of a book podcast I listen to as their favorite Christina Lauren (a writing duo of two best friends) book so I wanted to check it out as I’m also a fan of their writing style. This is a very cute rom-com featuring Hazel, a super quirky elementary school teacher and Josh, the brother of Hazel’s best friend, who Hazel ends up becoming best friends with too, even though she’s had a crush on him since college. The chemistry between the two is super believable and charming, the central story is sweet, the dialogue is witty and the writing is strong. There’s nothing earth-shatteringly different here but it made my top 13 books of the year, so it’s definitely memorable and I’d absolutely recommend it. 

Book #11:

Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings (Length: 442 pages). This rom-com featuring billionaire twenty-somethings in London is not a book I’d typically be drawn too as rich people (especially SPOILED rich young people) behaving badly isn’t a trope I generally enjoy. However, as a few people I follow on Bookstagram rave about this series, saying it’s a guilty pleasure, I decided to check out this first novel to see what all the fuss is about. The plot is VERY soap opera-ish, featuring a years-long on again, off again romance between the titular Magnolia Parks and her boyfriend BJ Ballentine. There’s a lot of label-dropping (of labels worn by billionaire kids) that went over my Athleta and Gap wearing head and I detested both of the main characters, and frankly most of their friends, but man, this was a fun ride, on balance. I kept reading because I wanted to find out how the central romantic conflict would resolve, while enjoying the peeks at the characters’ insanely moneyed lifestyles. I’m not sure I’ll keep reading (the series currently stands at 5 books total) but I’m glad I finally checked this one out. 

Book #1:

My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse (Length: 178 pages) I’ve had this book on my TBR for years, so I decided to knock it out at the end of the year because it’s so short. This is a collection of humorous essays written by one of England’s most famous humorists (like America’s Mark Twain). The majority in this first volume (of 16!) focus on a butler/servant, Jeeves, who is quietly in the background surveying and judging his employer’s sartorial and lifestyle choices. Jeeves helps Bertie Wooster (and his friends) get out of various social scrapes in 1920s New York City by using his clever mind. I enjoyed the stories focused on Jeeves the best here. This is easy to pick up and read a few essays at a time, and I’d give it 4 stars. Jeeves is the best!

Book #2:

The Caretaker by Ron Rash (Length: 252 pages).  This is another short novel (can you tell I’m trying to reach my annual reading goal?!) that is a wonderful read. Set in 1951 in a small town in North Carolina during the Korean War, the main characters are Blackburn Gant, a cemetery caretaker who suffered from polio as a child, his childhood best friend Jacob Hampton and Jacob’s young bride, Naomi Hampton. The writing is beautiful, and this literary novel is also very accessible to every reader (my favorite combo). There is a bit of a twist in the plot, and I couldn’t put this novel down after I started it. I adore this book and it’s going to land on my top 10 books of 2023. 

Book #3:

Meow If It’s Murder by T.C. LoTempio (Length: 306 pages). This cozy mystery is the first in a series of 6, called the Nick and Nora Mysteries series. Nora is a retired investigative reporter who returns to the CA coastal town of Cruz to run her departed mother’s sandwich shop and Nick is a cat with eerily human qualities who has a nose for solving murder cases. The mystery at the center of this novel is pretty straightforward and easy to figure out. There is a large cast of characters/suspects but it’s a cozy mystery so just go along for the ride and don’t stress about following the plot. The cat is the best part of this book and it’s an adorable set up. The series is apparently very popular and the next time I’m in the mood for a cozy mystery, I’ll definitely reach for the second book here to spend more time with the cute and sassy Nick. 

Book #4:

Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar (Length: 287 pages). I am a bit embarrassed to admit to have read this but having watched the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting for several years, I grabbed this memoir from the library to see if it, indeed, containing any “shocking” revelations. Jill is the second oldest daughter of this evangelical Christian family and has “left” the show and the nuclear family, along with her husband Derick. This memoir is HORRIBLY written and edited and there’s little new information here that hasn’t already been divulged by various websites and tabloids. I do appreciate that she recognizes the cult of Bill Gothard (a pastor the family followed for child-rearing advice) is harmful to children and families, and that she publicly disowns her pedophile, child abuser brother Josh, but on balance, I’d recommend skipping this one! 

Book #5:

Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See (Length: 357 pages) I LOVE this book! This is a sweeping family saga set in 15th century China. The protagonist, Yunxian, is a young woman who was raised by one of the only female doctors in China, her grandmother, and becomes one herself. This is a fascinating exploration of women in China via the interplay of concubines and the original wife as well as the process of foot binding and of births. Yunxian also has an opportunity to visit the Forbidden City which is fascinating. There is a bit of a mystery in the background of the story here and I found the reveal to be excellent. The plot isn’t propulsive because of this mystery, however, but it’s hard to put down because you’ll be so invested in Yunxian and you’ll want to see what happens to her and her life. This is a 5 star book for me!

Book #5:

Scythe by Neil Shusterman (Length: 464 pages) This is a YA (12 and up) dystopian novel, the first of a trilogy. I’ve seen it on so many “Best of” lists that I wanted to finally read it and I LOVE it! The writing is excellent. The plot is similar to Hunger Games, but not as angsty. The premise is that 300 years in the future, thanks to Thunderhead (ie, a turbo-charged Cloud) there is no more death or disease or climate change, but as a result, the population explodes out of control. Enter these Jedi-type warriors called Scythes who have yearly quotas of people to kill. The plot is very memorable and this is fantastic. It’s violent but not gory and it’s an absolute must-read. It will make my top 10 books of the year.

Book #6:

The Last One by Will Dean (Length: 445 pages).  This novel has to be the most unique thriller I’ve ever read. 50 year-old Caz sets off on a week-long cruise from England to NYC with her new boyfriend. The first morning she wakes up and the entire ocean liner is empty of passengers and crew. The plot is propulsive–I read this in a few days. The writing quality is fantastic and it’s compulsively readable. I thought about it after setting it down until I was able to pick it up again which is my favorite kind of novel. I really enjoyed the resolution. I give it 4 stars.

Book #7:

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano (Length: 361 pages). This is #2 in a series featuring Finlay Donovan, a recent divorcee with 2 young children and her sidekick/nanny Vero. In this novel Vero is harboring a mysterious secret and once again the pair stumbles into a murder and tries to solve it. More bumbling capers ensue. The writing is solid, the quips are smart and I enjoyed the side romance much more in this one. I will eventually get around to reading the 3rd book the next time I need a literary palate cleanser. A solid 3 star read.

Book #8:

A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djeli Clark (Length: 47 pages). I listened to this novella because I heard rave reviews about it on a podcast. Set in 1912 in an alternate universe in a “steampunk” Egypt where other-worldly creatures mix with humans. I loved the female investigator’s character/protagonist and found the plot to be super-propulsive. There’s not a dull moment. This is so inventive and you’re in this fantasy world immediately. The dialogue is snappy, the murder at the center is interesting and it’s just a lot of fun! If you’re looking for a quick audiobook or a quick read to act as a palate-cleanser between books, give this one a try!

Book #9:

Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi(Length: 335 pages) This is a horror novel–think the Exorcist mixed with The Lord of the Flies. Truly the scariest novel I’ve ever read, this is set in a boys’ orphanage in the early 1900s in a remote Pennsylvania valley. There’s true evil afoot here. Please don’t read anything else about the plot online as it will spoil it–just trust me that this novel is beautifully written, with a gorgeous sense of place and a truly unforgettable plot. Not a word is wasted, and it’s simultaneously horrifying yet hopeful. A fantastic horror novel that will rank amongst the best I’ve ever read.

Book #10:

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (Length: 153 pages). I’ve had this slim self-help book on my bookshelves for a while. It styles itself as “A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom” and is organized around 4 simple agreements the author suggests one should adopt in their own life: 1) Be impeccable with your word; 2) Don’t take anything personally; 3) Don’t make assumptions and 4) Always do your best. There’s nothing ground-breaking here but this book contains several great reminders. I know of several people who swear by this book so I’m glad I finally got around to reading it.

Book #11:

Someone Else’s Shoes by JoJo Moyes (Length: 447 pages). This is SUCH an enjoyable book. The plot revolves around two women in London who mistakenly switch gym bags. One bag contains red Christian Louboutin pumps and the other, cheap black bumps. Ultimately both women experience what it’s literally like to walk in someone else’s shoes. The premise sounds a bit cheesy but I found a surprising amount of depth here and I really enjoyed this book a lot. The resolution of the plot lines is so satisfying to read and the plot is more memorable than the average rom-com. Definitely pick this one up–a great vacation read!

Book #12:

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow (Length: 312 pages). I‘m a sucker for a gorgeous cover and I ADORE this book. Set in a small town with a “creepy” old house and a family-owned coal mine turned power plant, the three main characters are Opal, in her mid-twenties, her younger brother Jasper, a high school junior and the man who lives in the creepy Starling House, Arther. The writing is gorgeous and so evocative, the characters are beautifully drawn and developed. This is part horror, part fantasy and I enjoyed every word. Five stars from me!

Book #13:

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (Length: 320 pages). This Hercule Poirot novel is often mentioned as readers’ favorite Agatha Christie mystery so I was excited to check it out. The plot is fast-paced, the clues are numerous and interesting and I didn’t figure out this locked room mystery at all. Such a fun read and Hercule Poirot is delightful here. I read this using the Serial App which I recommend–I use the free version and it’s nice to read classic novels bit by bit each day.