Time Travel for Beginners
by Jaclyn Moriarty
Clever (6/20/2026)
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. The main characters were well drawn; each had their own complete journey. I don't want to say too much about the plot itself: more astute readers undoubtedly picked up on the twist, I just thought it was an odd coincidence. But the emotional groundwork with the characters had been laid so that when the twist came - and afterwards - it was very moving. And the secondary twist(s) were tidily wrapped up.
Boring Asian Female
by Canwen Xu
Well Written (3/23/2026)
Confession: I really don't like books about stalkers, obsession, and disordered thinking which makes this a tough one for me to read and review. However, the writing is quite good, the secondary characters make sense, and the plot holds together. And the end twist is a hoot. So I'd recommend to those who enjoy this type of fiction.
The Pie & Mash Detective Agency
by J.D. Brinkworth
Fun but Slight (1/19/2026)
The premise of this book is quite good and the writing is sharp. But sometimes the plot and key characterizations took a back seat to "the bit(s)" and many characters. This works in a visual, episodic show like Only Murders in the Building, but I found the tangents/coincidences less successful in book form. That said, I devoured it and hope they write more.
The Magic of Untamed Hearts: Wild Magic #3
by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Missed Opportunity (10/5/2025)
There was a really good idea here but the book was a disappointment. The mystical elements of the family's gifts and Sky's 8 year slumber were great and ostensibly the story catalyst but sadly were not fleshed out. The resulting hostility of the town (a bit over the top IMO) was introduced on page 1 and is the reason for the fake dating with Adam but it was mostly dropped. Characters changed unrealistically or unearned - sisters ignore me but after one talk we're besties, aunt neglected me as a child but up in my business now, selfish grandma came around. The dating app was ridiculous - why would Sky continue to talk to someone from her own town after the Chapter 1 experience with Grayson? And the coven story was a transparent Book 2 hook. So basically a lot of half-completed plot points. That said the writing itself isn't terrible.
Finally, the sex scenes were the most descriptive sections of the book which unbalanced the story. The sexting was abruptly introduced. And I was a bit surprised that someone so inexperienced went from 0 to 60 in 10 seconds! If that is the story you want to write then go for it and streamline/drop the other aspects.
The Whyte Python World Tour: A Novel
by Travis Kennedy
Rikki Don't Lose My Number (4/21/2025)
An amusing and well-written tale of rock music and the fall of the eastern bloc in the 80s. T Rikki Thunder,Tawny Spice, and Whyte Python are fantastic stand-ins for the heavy metal scene. Enjoyed that the power ballad turned out to be their biggest hit (which, the band mates note, is a cliche). Book also speaks to the power of music as a common language.
Pony Confidential
by Christina Lynch
Funny and Heartwarming (6/5/2024)
Told from the perspective of a pony and the woman who was once the girl he loved. Both of the characters take an emotional and physical journey. The pony in particular is somewhat like Odysseus with wild adventures and memorable companions. But the heart and social commentary is ever present and that lifts it above a mere travelogue.
The Cleaner: A Novel
by Brandi Wells
Unsettling (2/22/2024)
The writing really walked the tightrope of 1) highlighting how we dismiss the labor of people who aren't part of "our caste" and 2) showing that laborer is mentally disturbed. This was a hard book to read since everyone - except M - was occasionally sympathetic but more often annoying/monstrous. BUT I recommend.
Daughters of Shandong
by Eve J. Chung
Interesting Topic (11/24/2023)
This book dealt with a moment in time I hadn't read - or even thought - about very much, the fall of the Nationalists and the rise of the Communists and the immediate aftermath. The juxtaposition with the Chinese cultural preference for sons and the treatment of daughters and wives was interesting. The writing often took me out of the book, unfortunately.
The Witches at the End of the World
by Chelsea Iversen
Witchcraft in Norway (8/28/2023)
Enjoyed this book and the differing perspectives of Kaija and Minna. I thought Tante Tilda was fantastic and would love a book about her. Other characters were a bit one dimensional. My main quibble is the ending. I felt that the story was tied up in a rushed manner and not consistent with the actions and motivations of Kaija and Minna. I could see how they got there but a stronger connection was needed.
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley
Fun Read (11/11/2022)
I really enjoyed this book. It parallels the movie Thelma and Louise but puts a fresh spin on it. I'm not (too) close to the ages of either character but thought that the depictions were age appropriate. Well written and did not have any "take you out of the book" phrasing/sections that I often rant to my husband about.
The Latinist: A Novel
by Mark Prins
Tough Start but Good Finish (11/4/2021)
I'll confess that after the first section I put the book down for at least a week. Not another "academia is a snake pit" book, I thought, only this time with Latin. But I enjoyed the book when I picked it up again. The author does a good job of making both main characters alternately admirable and repugnant. The twist on the myth of Daphne and Apollo at the end was quite amusing.
Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob
by Russell Shorto
Facinating (3/21/2021)
I really enjoyed the book despite not having any connection to Italy, Pennsylvania, the Mafia, or deeply dysfunctional families! Even if you are not interested in the life of second and third generation Italian immigrants, the author's journey to understanding his father was quite affecting and universal. The writing was very good and the author wove the story strands together effectively.
He Started It
by Samantha Downing
Enjoyed but didn't love (2/23/2020)
The unreliable female narrator is a played out genre in my opinion unless the book is really special and this book isn't. That said I thought the book was well written and although the final twist was maddening I prefer that over a tidy bow!
Meet Me at the Museum
by Anne Youngson
Enjoyable (5/3/2018)
I enjoyed the depiction of older middle aged people coming to terms with their remaining time and being satisfied with what has occurred and what can occur. And yet something surprising (to them) can still happen. I was a little disappointed in the convenient affair of Edward, Tina's husband. But Tina's subsequent insights into Edward and Daphne were quite sensitive.
I also thought that the evolution of both Tina's and Kristian's writing was quite well done.
Next Year in Havana
by Chanel Cleeton
Disappointing (11/4/2017)
I requested this book because my in-laws left Cuba much in the early 60s and I was curious to see a book written by someone who would have grown up like my husband.
I enjoyed the chapters narrated by Elisa. While the actions and words of the characters were dramatic, it was a dramatic time and they were at that dramatic age.
Despite some beautiful writing in places, I found the Marisol chapters to be a combination of overwrought statements and long exposition. For example, perhaps Varadero beach does have "the most beautiful clear water" but after so many "best evers" I was skeptical. The expository statements by Luis and Pablo were really quite fair in giving voice to why people stayed and what is like in Cuba today but they made the book seem like a history lesson.
I feel the author would have been better served focusing on the story.
Seven Days of Us: A Novel
by Francesca Hornak
Couldn't Put It Down (5/29/2017)
Despite its many serious topics - ebola-like disease, PTSD, cancer, death - this book is really quite funny. The author doesn't shy away from those topics but uses a light touch and focuses on how they affect the family dynamic. Even the slightly less weighty issues - estrangement in a long term marriage, sibling rivalry, adoption - are resolved in a thoughtful and funny manner. Highly Recommended!
The Girl Before
by JP Delaney
Good Fast Read (11/26/2016)
This is a well written addition to the unreliable narrator, "girl" in the title genre.
I really enjoyed the way this book combined the idea of how our environment influences mood and behavior with the connected house. I can see how the latter could make you feel spied upon and vulnerable even in what should be your place of refuge. Luckily One Folgate Street wasn't quite to the level of Hal in 2001: A Space Odyssey!
The Next
by Stephanie Gangi
Excellent (7/23/2016)
I rarely read the ghost/horror genre. But I really liked this book.
The writing is excellent. The scenes are very vivid and while the characters don't break new ground (with the exception of Joanna) they are well drawn.
Joanna was a revelation. I found her obsession with Ned before (and after) her death inexplicable and self absorbed as it hurt her daughters so much. But the end chapter really explained why, without seeming like a cop-out. And I teared up in the last few paragraphs, a rarity.
Finally, while I have always had cats, if my dog could be like Tom I might reconsider.
The Witch of Painted Sorrows: A Daughters of La Lune Novel
by M. J. Rose
New Genre to Me (3/13/2015)
This is my first what I call "erotic horror" book. I do read a lot of fantasy and historical fiction, though. In that vein, I have read a number of books with alchemical motifs and found this book pretty standard in that regard. I particularly enjoyed the references to Art Nouveau architecture as that is one of my interests.
I found the character and actions of Sandrine a bit confusing but that may be because I rarely read horror/demonic possession books and don't know the conventions of that genre. II did enjoy the ending! The sex was pretty hot for a non-bodice ripper, too.
Shocking Paris: Soutine, Chagall and the Outsiders of Montparnasse
by Stanley Meisler
In want of editing (2/6/2015)
This is a five star story with 2 star writing and organization. I wish the author had chosen a rough chronological order with short side trips into other persons and world happenings. As it was, I found very hard to keep track of the primary subject's - Chaim Soutine - story. The book also suffered - perhaps because it jumped around quite a bit - from very noticeable repetition of phrasing and contradictory statements. A map of Paris and of Frances would have been quite helpful for those who aren't familiar with the geography. And a listing of the various painters with birthdates, birthplaces, major works, etc. would have been useful.
