June 2023–Part One

June 10, 2023

Thank you for joining me here!   I hope you enjoy this series and I’d love to hear from you about what you are reading these days.

Book #1:

The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand (Length: 417 pages) This quintessential beach read about a brand-new and fully renovated multi-million-dollar hotel on Nantucket was a slow start for me. I actually started it twice. There are two parallel plot points in this novel: the first involves the ghost of Grace Hadley (a servant girl who perished in a fire when the hotel was first built) who makes an occasional appearance amongst the guests post-remodel and the second focuses on the various employees and guests of the hotel. I found the multiple points of view to be confusing but I kept at it and I’m so glad I did. This is standard, charming Hilderbrand, with enough of a plot to keep things moving and with her signature attention to details such as the food offered in restaurants and about the hotel itself. This is a GREAT beach read–but maybe not at a busy pool if your attention will be divided in the beginning.

Book #2:

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson (Length: 402 pages). I have had this book on my TBR for way too long because I LOVE this book! This is a beautifully-written story that toggles back and forth among an island in the Caribbean, Europe and the United States. The story is about three kids who grow up and go their separate ways for a bit before transitioning to the story of their children who live in the United States. The meat of the novel is told primarily in flashbacks and those flashbacks are my favorite part of this novel. There are lots of details about food, history, oceanography and other seemingly disparate subjects. The character development here is stellar, with a bit of a mystery thrown in. The chapters are super short which also help to make this novel fly by. I hope you love this as much as I did.

Book #3:

The Life Council  by Laura Tremaine (Length: 208 pages). I am a fan of this author’s podcast as well as her voice, but I chose to read this on my e-reader. This is an interesting take on the types of female friendships women typically enjoy, all of which form a “life council” that the author believes women should have in their lives. Some examples are a Battle Buddy, a Soul Sister, as well as a Mentor. I enjoyed this quick read as well as her personal friendship stories that she used to illustrate each type. I absolutely identified with the concept as well as most of the friend categories. I found myself matching women in my life to the various categories and it made me want to reach out to some of my friends, which is a nice bonus. I will say this isn’t an earth-shattering read so perhaps a library checkout is warranted rather than a purchase. This would make a great book club choice. (If you enjoy the book, definitely check out the author’s podcast–10 Things to Tell You).

Book #4:

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb (Length: 334 pages). I really enjoyed this mystery. It features a fast-paced plot with fantastic details regarding the world of orchestras and classical music, and most specifically, violins. The mystery at the center (a young Black man’s Stradivarius is stolen early on in the novel) is so interesting and well-constructed. I found the actual writing style a bit amateurish in parts but my interest never wavered and I will always remember this one. Definitely worth a read–a beach or travel read for sure!

May 2023–Part Two

June 1, 2023

Thank you for joining me here!   I hope you enjoy this series and I’d love to hear from you about what you are reading these days.

Book #1:

Lady Justice by Dahlia Lithwick (Length: 368 pages) I listened to this one on audio and WOW! This is such an inspiring read/listen on so many levels for me . . . as an attorney, as a mother, as a progressive Democrat. This account of the history of female lawyers/trailblazers is thoughtfully written and it’s never dull. I found this to be ultimately hopeful and VERY motivating, and I’ve already recommended this to every female attorney I work with and know. I will say that the audio is phenomenal, and I think it’s meant to be listened to. (Apparently the author also has a popular podcast so that makes sense).

Book #2:

The First Husband by Laura Dave (Length: 260 pages). You win some, you lose some. I thought this was a mystery for some reason when I picked it up on a Kindle deal, so I was very confused by the plot. I enjoyed the author’s The Last Thing He Told Me and was in the mood to read something similar. This is, in fact, women’s fiction and is a very slow building novel about Annie, a travel writer, who is trying to find herself after her long-time boyfriend breaks up with her. I found myself quickly annoyed with Annie and her actions didn’t really make sense for the situations she found herself in. There were also a few grammatical errors throughout the e-book which also distracted me from the plot. I did ultimately finish the novel because I was curious about the ending, so there’s that, but overall this is a very forgettable book. 2.5 out of 5 stars from me.

Book #3:

Sweet Filthy Boy  by Christina Lauren (Length: 413 pages). I really enjoy this author duo’s books and saw this backlist title (the first of a series of 4 books) available at my library via the Libby app (the best!) so I took a chance. The premise is great: a recent college graduate visits Vegas with two of her best friends and meets a very handsome Frenchman with whom she has instant chemistry, and long story short, ends up in Paris for the summer. The character development is decent, the dialogue is witty and smart, I LOVED the Parisian setting, and I really enjoyed the friendships portrayed in the book. However, I’m decidedly NOT the audience for this book. This is like 50% open door bedroom scenes (and not enough plot advancement), plus the main characters are way too young for me at this point of my life. I will say another recent college graduate who wants to escape abroad with a handsome partner will likely adore this book/series.

May 2023–Part One

May 16, 2023

Thank you for joining me here!   I hope you enjoy this series and I’d love to hear from you about what you are reading these days.

Book #1:

Happy Place by Emily Henry (Length: 395 pages) This is the fourth rom-com that I’ve read by this author. It’s my second favorite (after Book Lovers). The premise is that Harriet and Wyn have been together for 8 years since they met in college. They break up but pretend to still be together for one last vacation with their college friend group. I found this novel a bit slow to start, and the not talking about WHY they broke up trope is in full swing here, but Henry’s snappy dialogue is here along with a cute setting (a small beach town in Maine) and those two things redeemed this novel for me. And, the chemistry between Harriet and Wyn is fantastic. I will read anything Henry writes going forward, of course, and I give her latest 4.5 out of 5 stars. It should go without saying that this is a perfect beach read.

Book #2:

The Guncle by Steven Rowley (Length: 336 pages). It’s only May and this will be on my top 5 of the year 2023. It’s THAT good! This VERY funny novel about a gay uncle who cares for his niece and nephew for a summer while his brother, their father, is in rehab is absolutely fantastic. Set in Palm Springs, I adored every detail from the Guncle’s caftans, his house, his throuple neighbors J.E.D. and I laughed out loud in several places. (He tells his niece he doesn’t eat bacon because pigs are our friends, and we don’t eat our friends. His niece replies, we do if they taste like bacon). The dialogue is snappy, the plot developments are heartwarming, the pacing is perfect (where I couldn’t wait to pick it up again) and I adore all of the characters the author introduced. This is truly memorable and I may even treat myself to a re-read, which I never do. Please pick this gem of a novel up! 

Book #3:

Local Woman Missing  by Mary Kubica (Length: 353 pages). I listened to this thriller on my commute and WOW–it’s intense! The first chapter is pretty harrowing and involves a young child being held captive for several years, but once that chapter ends, it’s not quite as scary to listen to so push through because the payoff is worth it. The pacing is excellent and I enjoyed the narrator’s voice. The twists and turns are many, and it’s semi-believable but overall a really fun psychological thriller. I can’t say much more because it will ruin the surprises in store here. You can’t go wrong with this one.

Book #4:

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel (Length: 274 pages). This is an interesting mix of a dystopian, pandemic and time travel novel. It’s very well-written on the whole (I enjoyed the author’s Station Eleven), but it’s a bit odd. There are a handful of disparate storylines in the first 50% that don’t seemingly have anything to do with each other, but right at the halfway mark (when the author develops the moon colonies storyline) it gets way more interesting. It’s not my favorite novel I’ve ever read because it just is plain weird but I do understand why it has such a cult following. I will say it’s a memorable read and I won’t forget the various plot lines and characters, but I perhaps wasn’t in the best headspace to be reading this type of novel because of the concentration it likely requires.

April 2023–Part Two

May 1, 2023

Thank you for joining me here!   I hope you enjoy this series and I’d love to hear from you about what you are reading these days.

Book #1:

The Yoga Store Murder by Dan Morse (Length: 384 pages) This is an excellent true crime novel published in 2013 (ie, it may be a bit more difficult to find online). The crime concerns the incredibly brutal murder of a Lululemon employee Jana Murray along with the aggravated assault of her coworker. The author covers the murder, the investigation and ultimately covers the trial. This book was recommended by one of my favorite podcasters, Meredith of Currently Reading as her favorite true crime book ever written. I do agree that it’s an excellent non-fiction account of a crime, written in an engaging narrative format. I grew up reading trade paperbacks by Ann Rule and this reminds me of her books, with the level of detail of everyone concerned. I figured out the killer immediately and I’m sure you will too, but this isn’t a mystery, it’s a humanizing account of a tragic murder, and of everyone who was affected by this homicide. I absolutely recommend this one!

Book #2:

The Wife Upstairs by Frieda McFadden (Length: 422 pages).  This is my third audiobook by this author–I didn’t realize she’s so prolific, but now that I’ve discovered these easy to listen to psychological/mystery thrillers, I can’t stop downloading them for my daily commute. These are mindless entertainment in my opinion; easy to stop and restart without losing the thread of the plot. The premise of this book is a bit unbelievable in that the protagonist, Sylvie Robinson, is hired to essentially hang out with a wife with a TBI (Victoria Barnett) all day in a beautiful home in a more isolated part of upstate New York. This absolutely has Colleen Hoover’s Verity vibes (as well as the classic novel Rebecca), so there’s nothing original about it. Sylvie even reads Victoria’s diary so we, the reader, also hear from Victoria as the story progresses. This is VERY formulaic and the “twists” are ridiculously easy to figure out, but again, it’s a fun ride and I listened to the end. I did read that this author is a practicing physician who specializes in brain injuries which explains a lot of this. On the whole I do recommend this if you’re looking for an easy to listen to (or read) thriller but don’t expect more than a 3 star experience.

Book #3:

Meet Me in Paradise  by Libby Hubscher (Length: 350 pages). I heard that this rom-com is well-written and it will make you cry. I do agree that it’s well-written and the characters are memorable. The premise is that Marin flies to a small island in the Caribbean called Saba, to meet her sister Sadie who was missed their flight and was supposed to catch the next flight. Sadie ultimately doesn’t join Marin, so Marin is “forced” to let go and have fun, and not be the protective older sister she’s always been post their mom’s tragic death when they were in high school. I loved the descriptions of the island and its inhabitants. The romance central to this novel is a bit rushed so the chemistry between Marin and her lover isn’t really developed in a way that hooks the reader in (ie, don’t read this for the romance), but it’s more about the relationship between the two sisters. I do enjoy a good cry once in a while, and this one delivered on that. Overall I’d give this a 3.5 stars.

Book #4:

The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden (Length: 373 pages) This book is considered by many of this author’s fans to be one of the best she’s written, so again, I downloaded this from my local library to listen to. It’s very easy to follow and the premise is fascinating. A suburban mom, Erika, has suspected her teenage son Liam is a sociopath based on his behaviors since he was 4 years old. The pacing in this psychological thriller is excellent, and the author maintains the tension of the plot throughout. The action is believable, and the characters are interesting, so all of these factors made this one of my favorites of her novels. I did figure out the “twist” almost immediately, but I enjoyed the entire ride. Definitely check this one out! I’ve already recommended it to a friend who devours audiobooks, and I can’t wait to hear what she thinks too.

April 2023–Part One

April 17, 2023

Thank you for joining me here!   I hope you enjoy this series and I’d love to hear from you about what you are reading these days.

Book #1:

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn (Length: 366 pages) This is the third novel I’ve read by this author, and while I really enjoyed her other two I’ve read (Love Lettering and Love at First), this novel, her most recent release, is my favorite. This is a rom-com featuring Georgie who returns to her small hometown to help her pregnant BFF prepare for labor, and to visit her hippie parents (so cute!). She is also home to figure out what’s next for her career as she’s recently been laid off from her job as a personal assistant to a successful director in Hollywood. There’s a cute stranger, a VERY cute pittie rescue pup and Georgie’s quirky parents who all make this novel heartwarming in fun. There’s a storyline arc re: Georgie and her BFF’s “fic” notebook from high school that is a bit annoying and immature but overall, I really enjoyed this sweet novel. Give it a try–you won’t regret it!

Book #2:

Spare by Prince Harry (Length: 409 pages).  Full disclosure–I’m a fan of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and always have been. That said, I really thought this book was well-written (he had a ghost writer co-write with him, of course) in the sense that he was able to convey his perspective about how the horrible British press/ghouls affected first his mother’s life and now his and his wife’s. For those people who think he and Meghan are fame-seekers, maybe reading this book will create some empathy for what they’ve been through (and are still going through). They’re damned if they cooperate and they’re damned if they don’t. I read this in print but I wish I would’ve held out for the audiobook as I’ve heard his narration is excellent. A must read even if you aren’t a fan of the Royal Family (I’m not–just of Prince Harry and Princess Diana.)

Book #3:

Me Talk Pretty One Day  by David Sedaris (Length: 288 pages). I listened to this on audio because I enjoy listening to his narration. His tone is very cranky and persnickety, and he has a very dark sense of humor. There were a few chapters where I laughed out loud, especially the one on the pets he and his family had when he was a child. I did enjoy his previous book of essays, Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls a bit more but this was still a great listen during my commute and during hikes, because the essays make it easy to pick back up again without losing the thread of the plot. I’ll keep checking out his other books of essays for sure.

Book #4:

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth (Length: 331 pages) I’m a big fan of this author, and while I’d consider her novels “popcorn thrillers”, I think her writing is so good that the term is selling her novels a bit short. Sally actually calls this particular novel, her most recent, a “murderous love story” and it really is. This thriller begins with Pippa Wright watching her husband Gabe fail to stop a woman from falling to her death off the cliff behind their home. (Gabe has developed a reputation as an “angel” for preventing a few suicide attempts from this same cliff). This novel is a journey into the intricacies of mental illness (ADHD, postpartum depression, etc) as well as family life. This is very well-written, per usual, and it’s a FAST read! I read this in one afternoon. I think it’s a perfect vacation read as it’s not too heavy and it’s easy to come back to and pick up the plot if you need to stop reading.

Book #5

Fairy Tale  by Stephen King (Length: 607 pages) I LOVE this book! What a fun read! This is a fantasy adventure novel that isn’t horror at all. There are a few monsters of a sort, but the main story is about 17-year-old Charlie Reade who lives outside of Chicago in modern day. He discovers another world beneath our world that is populated by many characters based on traditional fairy tales, of the Grimm variety, not the Disney variety. This was difficult for me to put down, even at 600 pages, so that’s something. The plot is a bit slow to get going but I enjoyed the build-up to Charlie’s ultimate entrance into the Empis world. There are a few action bits that are stressful to read but the world building that Stephen King accomplishes in this novel is truly amazing. I loved every minute and I would love to see this on TV as a series. This is 5 stars from me. I’m going to loan it to my dad, who is a voracious reader as well, and I’m curious if he will enjoy it as much as I did.