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The Volcano Daughters
The Volcano Daughters: A Novel
by Gina María Balibrera
The Volcano Daughters (8/20/2024)
THE VOLCANO DAUGHTERS by Gina Maria Balibrera

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the ARC ebook to read.

A debut set in early 20th century El Salvador. Graciela and her four friends live a simple life along with their mothers on a volcano in …more
The Lion Women of Tehran
The Lion Women of Tehran
by Marjan Kamali
A Compelling Read (8/15/2024)
THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN by Marjan Kamali

4.5 stars
Narration by Mozhan Navabi and Nikki Massoud was very well done. Mozhan Navabi is a favorite narrator of mine.

Ellie and Homa, two young girls growing up in Tehran meet at school in early 1950s. Ellie, who is descended from …more
The God of the Woods
The God of the Woods: A Novel
by Liz Moore
Addictive Read (7/27/2024)
THE GOD OF THE WOODS by Liz Moore

Saskia Maarleveld always does an incredible narration. Another favorite narrator of mine. I also paired this with the book.

At an esteemed summer camp in 1975 in the Adirondack Mountains, a young teenage girl goes missing in the middle of …more
All the Colors of the Dark
All the Colors of the Dark
by Chris Whitaker
Outstanding (7/17/2024)
ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK by Chris Whitaker

I read this and listened to the audiobook narrated by, Edoardo Ballerini, who always does an outstanding narration. He is a favorite narrator of mine and I highly recommend the audiobook.

In 1975 in the small town of Monta Clare, …more
The Rose Arbor
The Rose Arbor: A Novel
by Rhys Bowen
Engaging Read (7/12/2024)
THE ROSE ARBOR by Rhys Bowen

Thanks to BookBrowse and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC book of this to read.

Loved the beautiful cover art on the jacket of this book and also on the book itself. Really beautifully done.

Female empowerment is important to Rhys Bowen’s …more
Smothermoss
Smothermoss
by Alisa Alering
The Mountain (7/6/2024)
SMOTHERMOSS by Alisa Alering

The narration by Susan Bennett was very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the ARC audiobook.

Sheila and Angie are step-sisters living in a rural area of 1980s Appalachia with their mother, Bonnie and Great Aunt Athena. Sheila, …more
Smothermoss
Smothermoss
by Alisa Alering
The Mountain (7/4/2024)
The narration by Susan Bennett was very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the ARC audiobook.

Sheila and Angie are step-sisters living in a rural area of 1980s Appalachia with their mother, Bonnie and Great Aunt Athena. Sheila, at the age of 17, carries a …more
The Frozen River
The Frozen River: A Novel
by Ariel Lawhon
Wonderful Historical Read (6/28/2024)
A wonderful historical fiction read of Martha Ballard, a midwife with a strong moral compass. Taking place in Maine, in the 18th century. In 1789 a dead man is found in the Kennebec River and Martha is called to examine the body. Martha finds herself investigating the death …more
Shelterwood
Shelterwood: A Novel
by Lisa Wingate
Voices From the Past (6/9/2024)
Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC ebook of Shelterwood

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

I have read a few of Lisa Wingate’s books and this is also a good read, even though I enjoyed others more. At the heart of this story …more
The Pecan Children
The Pecan Children
by Quinn Connor
Southern Gothic Read (6/4/2024)
THE PECAN CHILDREN by Quinn Connor

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of The Pecan Children

3.5 stars
A Southern Gothic with magical realism. Set on a pecan plantation in rural Arkansas where twin sisters grew up. Lil Clearwater works tirelessly in …more
Long After We Are Gone
Long After We Are Gone: A Novel
by Terah Shelton Harris
Great Read (6/3/2024)
LONG AFTER WE ARE GONE

Narration by Diontae Black was very well done.

I enjoyed her previous book, One Summer in Savannah, and I enjoyed this one, as well. I am a huge fan of Terah Shelton Harris’ writing style and her artfully done story telling. A generational family …more
Strange Sally Diamond
Strange Sally Diamond
by Liz Nugent
Dark Thriller (5/31/2024)
Narration by: Jessica Regan, Stephen Hogan and Sara Lyman was exceptionally well done and highly recommend.

“When I die, put me out with the bins. I'll be dead, so I won't know any different..."
When the time came...I followed his instructions."

—— and you are immediately …more
James
James: A Novel
by Percival Everett
Brilliantly Written and Told (5/19/2024)
JAMES by Percival Everett

Narration by Dominic Hoffman was perfectly done. Percival Everett has written a brilliant story of reimagining at its best. I absolutely loved everything he took liberty with in this story about James. James is a father and husband, and an enslaved …more
The Stolen Child
The Stolen Child: A Novel
by Ann Hood
Gorgeously Written Story (5/14/2024)
THE STOLEN CHILD by Ann Hood

4.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the audiobook of this gorgeously written work of secrets long buried in the trenches of World War I, by Ann Hood. This is a historical fiction, mystery and romance read.

Narration by Jefferson Mays …more
The Flower Sisters
The Flower Sisters
by Michelle Collins Anderson
Historical Fiction/Coming-Of-Age (4/29/2024)
Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media/recorded books for the audiobook of, The Flower Sisters

Narrated by a cast of readers: Jim Frangione, Andrea Gallo, L.J. Ganser, Laura Knight Keating, Christina Moore, Graham Winton

A compelling debut of a coming-of-age/historical fiction …more
The Familiar
The Familiar: A Novel
by Leigh Bardugo
An Entertaining Read (4/25/2024)
THE FAMILIAR By Leigh Bardugo

Thank you to BookBrowse for the ARC of The Familiar

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An entertaining read of speculative fiction, historical fiction and doses of magical fantasy, set in late 16th century Madrid at the height of the Spanish Inquisition. The prose is lyrical …more
An Honest Man
An Honest Man: A Novel
by Michael Koryta
A Really Good Read (3/24/2024)
Narration by Robert Petkoff was very well done.

Taking place on a small
island off the coast of Maine lives Israel Pike who is, a lobsterman, ‘an honest man’ and also a killer. A twelve year old boy named Lyman Rankin, who seeks shelter from his alcoholic father also is …more
How to Say Babylon
How to Say Babylon: A Memoir
by Safiya Sinclair
A Poetic Read (3/24/2024)
Narrated by the author, Safiya Sinclair who is an accomplished poet. Her skills are shown in the lyricism and language of this beautifully told memoir.

We follow Safiya’s journey of self-discovery and rebellion of her father’s expectations. She tells the story of her and …more
The Stone Home
The Stone Home: A Novel
by Crystal Hana Kim
The Stone Home (3/24/2024)
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC ebook.

A coming-of-age, historical fiction/family drama with timelines of 1980’s and 2011. Inspired by real events told through two perspectives and timelines.

I had a difficult time trying to read this. I felt …more
The Unmaking of June Farrow
The Unmaking of June Farrow: A Novel
by Adrienne Young
Magical Time Travel read (2/26/2024)
Narrated by Brittany Presley

Narration was well done.

A magical realism novel, The Unmaking of June Farrow focuses on a family curse that has caused the Farrow women to exist in two times at once—time travel. A small-time setting in Jasper, NC, in 1951 and 2023. Young builds …more

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