I read two Wally Lamb books, SHE’S COME UNDONE and I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE, back in the late 90s because Oprah told me to. (The original book influenI read two Wally Lamb books, SHE’S COME UNDONE and I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE, back in the late 90s because Oprah told me to. (The original book influencer, right?) I like his writing style which is why I was eager to get my hands on a copy of his latest novel, THE RIVER IS WAITING. Another thought-provoking read that allowed me to experience a wide range of emotions.
It’s a heavy read. Starting off I could only manage a chapter a day because it was a lot to process. A horrible tragedy occurs at the beginning of the book and it’s the main character’s fault. Your blood will boil, it’s that bad. As the storyline shifts into a new phase, my tension level thankfully decreased and I was able to settle in better.
You are watching a man on a journey and will see the good, bad, and ugly sides. As readers we all have reasons for picking up a book or deciding to pass. I personally am thankful I stuck with THE RIVER IS WAITING. It’s not a perfect read and at times I struggled with how the character was written, but I gained something of value from the experience. This character and story are practically begging to be discussed in a book club.
Thank you Mary Sue Rucci Books for sending me a free advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion. ...more
THE WHITE CROW is the 2nd book in the Philomena McCarthy series. It can be read as a standalone novel but keep in mind the first book gives 3.75 stars
THE WHITE CROW is the 2nd book in the Philomena McCarthy series. It can be read as a standalone novel but keep in mind the first book gives insight into the character and her relationships which are further explored in this thriller. Both books are good reads but I prefer THE WHITE CROW a smidge more.
Philomena is not one to always play by the rules. When she spots a young girl wandering outside at night, her spidey senses tell her something isn’t right. Rather than wait for backup to arrive, she enters the girl’s home and stumbles upon a crime scene. Philomena finds herself with another case that puts her career, relationships, and life in jeopardy.
One of the fascinating aspects of the series is this balancing act of the character being a police officer and having a certain sense of loyalty to family members who let’s just say are well known to law enforcement. It’s an awkward position to be in and I like how it’s covered in the series. Philomena has wised up a bit in this book although there’s still the occasional lapse in judgement. But that’s okay as her flaws keep things interesting..
If you enjoy thrillers, definitely check this author out. His Cyrus Haven series is very good as well.
Thank you Scribner Books for sending me a free advance copy!...more
I took a chance on JANE AUSTEN’S BOOKSHELF as I was unsure if my limited knowledge on her works would be enough to fully appreciate this nonf4.5 stars
I took a chance on JANE AUSTEN’S BOOKSHELF as I was unsure if my limited knowledge on her works would be enough to fully appreciate this nonfiction book. Thankfully, the writing style is on the more engaging side rather than being dry and academic. It was a fascinating read that explored beyond just the writings of the women who inspired Jane Austen but also rare book collecting and the lives of the women writers.
While Jane Austen’s novels have stood the test of time sadly when it comes to other women writers of that era most of their works of fiction, poetry, and plays have fallen out of the public eye. Rebecca Romney, a rare book dealer, made it her mission to seek out these lesser known works and form her own opinions about the writings. Each chapter features a woman writer and gives biographical info as well as discussing common themes and how it relates to Jane’s writing. It was neat learning how the author went about tracking down these rare books and the business of book dealing and collecting.
Thank you to Mary Sue Rucci Books and Simon Element for providing a free advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion....more
I don’t read much true crime anymore but HOME OF THE HAPPY caught my eye because it was written by the great granddaughter of the victim. In January 1I don’t read much true crime anymore but HOME OF THE HAPPY caught my eye because it was written by the great granddaughter of the victim. In January 1983, Louisiana banker Aubrey LaHaye was kidnapped from his home. Ten days later his body was found in the Bayou Nezpique. Even with an eventual conviction in the case, there are lingering questions and the author is on a quest for answers.
It took me awhile to settle into a good reading groove. Given the LaHaye family tree is quite large, it was hard keeping track of everyone. But by the time a key suspect emerges, I was hooked. The author gives bits and pieces of the investigation, trial, and aftermath along the way, many of the details she is learning for the first time. Grief is a complicated thing and the murder of her great grandfather which occurred years before she was born was a subject rarely brought up among family members. It’s a twisted case and reading the 2nd half of the book, I’d come up with one theory and minutes later I’d switch gears and start thinking in a completely different direction.
A fascinating true crime read. Even if you aren’t a regular reader of the genre, it’s worth checking out.
Thank you Mariner Books and #MorrowPartner for providing a free copy!...more
Patience can pay off when it comes to books. I’ll admit I was a little nervous after reading the first 15 or so pages in THE PERSIANS. The c3.75 stars
Patience can pay off when it comes to books. I’ll admit I was a little nervous after reading the first 15 or so pages in THE PERSIANS. The characters seemed over the top and I thought that it would wear thin after awhile. Thankfully though, the writing settled down a bit and it turned out to be a pretty fascinating read.
The story follows different generations of women from the Valiat family. During the Iranian Revolution some of them head to the US while others remain in Iran. Decades later and you could say the family is fractured. The past is a roadblock to moving forward.
The different perspectives is what made the book work well. You don’t have to agree with certain decisions or actions but at least the author gives you enough to understand on some level where each person was coming from. People are complex and that’s certainly the case with the members of this family. It’s heartbreaking to know that some immigrants continue to feel like outsiders even when they’ve lived in the country for years and years.
A book worth reading in my opinion.
Thank you Scribner for sending a free advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion. ...more
I’m glad I got my grubby little hands on an advance digital copy of THE GHOSTWRITER by Julie Clark. It’s her best one yet. If you are a fan o4.5 stars
I’m glad I got my grubby little hands on an advance digital copy of THE GHOSTWRITER by Julie Clark. It’s her best one yet. If you are a fan of the author or enjoy a good mystery thriller, definitely check this one out.
Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont cut ties with her father, famed horror author, Vincent Taylor, years ago. Back when he was a teenager, his brother and sister were killed and Vincent was a suspect. Decades later and the case remains unsolved but Vincent is willing to tell his side of the story in his next book. He hires Olivia to research and ghostwrite and she accepts the job only because she desperately needs the money. While she might finally get answers to this family tragedy, it won’t come easy.
The strained father/daughter relationship added an extra layer of tension to the novel. The story alternates between the present with Olivia interviewing her father and the past which shows everything leading up to the killings. You get pieces of the puzzle along the way but it’s up to the reader to make sense of it all. I had multiple theories floating around in my head. It’s a stay until the end situation as I never had strong confidence in any of my predictions as to what really happened to the brother and sister. I just had to wait until the author laid everything out on the table. Thankfully, I was reasonably satisfied with the conclusion.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for providing a free advance digital copy! ...more
The title is self explanatory as the book covers Queen Victoria’s reign and the working relationships she had with the prime ministers. Some of those The title is self explanatory as the book covers Queen Victoria’s reign and the working relationships she had with the prime ministers. Some of those men she respected a great deal, and others, not so much. An informative read and well researched although with the revolving door of prime ministers I’d struggle at times to keep everyone straight in my head. Fascinating knowing that certain actions or inactions during her time on the throne had long lasting implications.
Recommend if you have an interest in European or political history.
Thank you to Knopf for sending me a free copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion. ...more
Thank you HTP Books for sending me a free advance reader’s copy!
Shelby Dawson survived an attack fifteen months ago in her small Minnesota town. She Thank you HTP Books for sending me a free advance reader’s copy!
Shelby Dawson survived an attack fifteen months ago in her small Minnesota town. She was left for dead but thankfully was found in the nick of time. On that same night, Shelby’s friend, Mackenzie, discovered her husband had gone missing. As both women attempt to move on with their lives, many questions remain. But if they go digging for the truth, they might not like what they find.
NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE was my first Seraphina Nova Glass thriller and I was pleasantly surprised by the humor as that’s not something you usually get with this genre. It was an added bonus and helped balance out the darker bits of the story.
The plot had me invested but there were some bumps along the way. It was tricky keeping track of some characters in my mind even as the story was hitting the home stretch. The author did keep me on my toes though and had me constantly second guessing the different theories I came up with in my head.
Overall a decent thriller that has motivated me to check out other books by this author.
A Gorgeous Excitement is an impressive debut novel set in 1980s Upper East Side NYC. It’s a coming of age story of sorts as Nina Jacobs has j4.5 stars
A Gorgeous Excitement is an impressive debut novel set in 1980s Upper East Side NYC. It’s a coming of age story of sorts as Nina Jacobs has just graduated from an elite private school. Before heading to Vanderbilt in the fall, she’ll spend the summer interning, tiptoeing around her mother’s mood swings, hanging out with friends at a popular bar, and trying to garner the attention of the handsome and charismatic Gardner Reed.
The book captures that crazy and often carefree time period in a young adult’s life. There’s that definite 1980s NYC vibe going on but yet the story feels timeless, as if Nina could be transported to the present day and the character arc isn’t altered one bit. Nina being unsure of what to say or how to behave at times in social interactions strikes a chord because wanting to fit in is a universal feeling especially at that age. It’s typical to ignore warning signs and not recognize danger ahead as you pretty much think you are invincible at that stage.
I couldn’t put this book down. It deals with a wide range of topics including addiction, mental health, anti-semitism, wealth and privilege, and of course what it’s like being a young woman in this world. Credit to the author for writing an ending that’s plausible rather than taking an easier route.
Thank you Crown Publishing for sending me a free advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion....more
A GENTLEMAN’S GENTLEMAN is the 4th T.J. Alexander book I’ve read and while I’ve enjoyed all of them, this one is my new favorite. A trans Reg4.5 stars
A GENTLEMAN’S GENTLEMAN is the 4th T.J. Alexander book I’ve read and while I’ve enjoyed all of them, this one is my new favorite. A trans Regency romance with a comfy vibe to it which was perfect as I needed a good escapism read.
Lord Christopher Eden lives a bit of a reclusive life, preferring the company of his cook and butler. He’s recently gotten word his father’s will stipulates he must find a wife soon or he’ll lose the family fortune and estate. This presents a problem as Christopher is not attracted to women. James Harding has been hired as his valet and will help him during the London Season as Christopher will attempt to find a woman to marry. Both men strike up a friendship and well…
Right of the bat Christopher is a likeable character based on how he treats his staff more like family than servants. Refreshing as that’s not usually the norm among the wealthy and privileged especially a couple centuries ago. This is a slow burn romance but it makes sense as the stakes are rather high and plenty of reasons why one might not feel comfortable sharing everything about themselves. The time period adds another layer to the story and why things play out at slower pace compared to a contemporary romance novel. Overall, a nice love story with charm, humor, and heart.
Thank you Vintage Books for sending me a free advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion....more
The Athletic is a sports journalism department of The New York Times. The writers covering the NBA have compiled player profiles of the athle4.5 stars
The Athletic is a sports journalism department of The New York Times. The writers covering the NBA have compiled player profiles of the athletes they believe belong on the 100 all-time greats list.
As soon as I received the book in the mail, I flipped to the back to make sure they got the #1 player correct. Thankfully, they made the right choice so I knew I could take the rest of the rankings seriously. The profiles were interesting and they often included quotes by other players and coaches on how they viewed that particular athlete’s skills. Every era of the NBA is well represented with players. While career stats were listed along with other achievements at the end of each profile, I wish the years played as well as with what team(s) were more predominantly featured rather than maybe being mentioned in the actual article. In some cases the profile was not as detailed as I would have expected with that information.
The GOAT Points section was a nice addition as it had more of a mathematical approach to determining the ranks. Crazy how the lists differed in terms of the order as well as some players being left off one list or the other. Just goes to show that you really can have an endless debate about the subject. Recommend reading if you are a fan of the NBA.
Thank you William Morrow for sending me a free advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion. ...more
NAME NOT TAKEN is the 3rd Madeleine Henry book I’ve read and once again, I’m left thinking about the story and characters long after I finished the laNAME NOT TAKEN is the 3rd Madeleine Henry book I’ve read and once again, I’m left thinking about the story and characters long after I finished the last page. This one falls in the psychological suspense category and has that great page turning quality so many of us look for when we pick up a book from this genre. A character with depth is an added bonus that is brought to the table.
The premise is fairly simple but it hooks and reels you in. Meeting your future in laws and the desire to be accepted into the fold is something a lot of us can relate to. Devon is hoping to leave a good impression but that may be easier said than done.
The story has layer after layer and that’s due to purposeful writing. Yes, it’s a good binge read but there’s a lot more to appreciate about this novel. A crazy ride but I liked where the reading journey took me.
Thank you to the author for sending me a free advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
YOU ARE FATALLY INVITED is a mystery thriller that is clever but oddly enough it goes overboard at times which hampered the story. A good bo3.75 stars
YOU ARE FATALLY INVITED is a mystery thriller that is clever but oddly enough it goes overboard at times which hampered the story. A good book overall but a bit of a disjointed reading experience.
Author J.R. Alastor has hired Mila, a former aspiring writer, to coordinate a retreat at his manor in Maine. Invited to the property are other thriller writers. Games, puzzles, and riddles are on the agenda but it looks like something more sinister is in store for the guests as well.
Regular readers of the thriller genre are going to appreciate the book a little more than readers unfamiliar with popular tropes and plot devices. The writing style while unique was also like a whirlwind with information overload. Maybe that was by design, so the reader doesn’t know quite what to think. There’s a ton going on in the final chapters but it failed to deliver a strong punch. Not saying the ending is predictable but it’s not really a shock either.
Points awarded for the author doing something a little different in the thriller genre. If you are a fan of Benjamin Stevenson’s EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE this book might be right up your alley.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a free advance digital copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion. ...more
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