Ariadne
by Jennifer Saint
The Life of Ariadne (5/13/2021)
This retelling of Ariadne's life is stunning. The language pulled me in despite knowing how the story ends. Jennifer Saint brought Greek mythology to life. Her descriptions, characters and tragedies resonated with me. I felt for Ariadne, her sister, Dionysus and enjoyed the journey from liking to disliking Theseus. Saint made it read like a true story with consequences and heartache for the characters. This is the way to connect or reconnect with mythology and our own humanity. A great read.
The Prisoner's Wife
by Maggie Brookes
The Prisoner's Wife Captured Me (3/4/2020)
This book tossed me into Izabel's life with all its risks and stress and held me captive. It was an amazing tale made even more so by the fact that it was based on a true story. The characters had such courage and determination. It is a story that reveals both the horrors man is capable of and the perseverance, faith and love. The Prisoner's Wife is a must read for anyone interested in historic novels or World War II, but also for anyone who wants to read about a strong woman who would face horrors to be with the one she loves.
Welcome to the Pine Away Motel and Cabins
by Katarina Bivald
Pine Away Makes You Think...and Feel (1/5/2020)
This quirky little book starts out with a ghost reflecting on her life and continued existence in a small town in Oregon, but it doesn't stop there. The story weaves the past with the present, life with death. It is a story about beliefs, family, friendship, connection, and what is right. Mostly it is a deep look at love and life and what matters in the end.
The Big Finish
by Brooke Fossey
The Big Finish (11/11/2019)
The Big Finish is a close look at the choices we make and where we end up. Duffy is forced to come to terms with his past as he helps a young girl all while facing the specter of being tossed out of his nursing home and forced into a place he'd rather avoid. Duffy is a character. I loved reading about life at the home with its host of characters and drama both big and small. It's a quiet book with a big impact.
The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt: A Novel
by Andrea Bobotis
inventory of a Life (7/11/2019)
This Southern novel is filled with deeply drawn characters who see the world, and the items that fill it, from vastly different perspectives. The characters were flawed, broken and yet strong. I loved the way Judith's inventory captured not only the items in the home but the stories around them. The stories revealed the characters and their history. This is a book about family, race, and forgiveness. It was a pleasure to read. I could not help but feel for the people who inhabited Bound, South Carolina.
Never Have I Ever
by Joshilyn Jackson
Never Have I... (5/19/2019)
Missed reading a book by Joshilyn Jackson. She is a favorite author. This book is a huge departure from her usual Southern stories, but should appeal to those who love thrillers. It is tightly wound with surprises along the way.
Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen
by Mary Norris
Greek Immersion (3/13/2019)
Norris indulges her love of all things Greek in this book and shares her passion for the language, both modern and ancient, as well as for the people and culture of Greece. The book was a delightful introduction to a land that changed and influenced language itself.
The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
by Anissa Gray
Ravenously Hungry Girls Delivers (10/29/2018)
The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls is a tale of three sisters and how their lives play out as adults of a tumultuous past and how one sister's children pay the price of her mistakes. It is a raw book filled with trauma, demons and the aftermath of abuse. Gray doesn't ignore any opportunity to raise the stakes for the family. It is not an easy read, but one that will stick with you.
Sold on a Monday
by Kristina McMorris
Righting Wrongs (9/15/2018)
It's impossible not to care for the characters in this book. To watch them make mistakes, then work to make it right. The premise of a fateful photo that doomed two children was compelling and kept me turning pages. Beautifully done.
The Travelling Cat Chronicles
by Hiro Arikawa, Philip Gabriel
A Cat Knows... (5/9/2018)
This book is a study in belonging and acceptance. It is a book the reveals itself slowly and methodically, with the studied and measured movements of a tea ceremony with meaning in every moment. This quiet book builds to an ending that will wreck you. It is the tale of how a stray cat finds a place to belong and how sometimes that is all that matters. This book is about love, acceptance and loyalty. Keep your tissues handy, you are going to feel things with this book. It may be small, but it is filled with depth. I loved it.
America for Beginners
by Leah Franqui
Journey Across America (4/3/2018)
Leah Franqui introduces characters who are wonderfully flawed and real. They felt more like people than characters. America for Beginners is a peek into how others see America and people from other countries within the context of their upbringing and cultural norms. It was both heartbreaking and amusing. I loved that the characters grew from the experience. There were many observations that took me by surprise, such as the widow's impression of Washington, DC. Others were not as surprising, but felt true for the characters. Each character brought different perspectives on the journey and life, which was refreshing. This was an enjoyable book. My only comment is that the first 100 pages were a bit slow with all the character build-up. I thought it might have worked better had Franqui saved a bit of the backstory for later in the book. However, I would give this book four-and-a-half out of five stars and recommend it highly.
If We Were Villains
by M. L. Rio
Tragically Beautiful (3/13/2017)
This book is worthy of bardolotry. It is tragically beautiful in both structure and character. The characters borrow lines from Shakespeare as they play out their own villainous roles in a tragedy of their own making. The tension held taut until the final page. Excellent for Shakespeare lovers and fans of gripping tales.
Our Short History
by Lauren Grodstein
Our Short History (2/9/2017)
This book was meant to be a tearjerker, but I did not cry. I am sorry to say this book did not grab me. I enjoyed parts of it, but others put me off. The main character remained too angry at the father for much of the book. And as emotional as the subject was, I thought it read flat. It skimmed the surface. I wanted more depth and insight into why she was feeling the way she was, not just an account of what was happening. In the end, this book was just okay for me.
The Girl Before
by JP Delaney
The Girl Before Surprises (11/22/2016)
There is a reason this book went to auction and had its movie rights snapped up by Ron Howard. It is beautifully written, tautly paced and full of intrigue. It hooked me on page one and kept me guessing, incorrectly, until the end. Wonderful thriller with an architectural setting. I highly recommend it.
Falling
by Jane Green
Falling by Jane Green (6/21/2016)
I wanted to like this book and did in parts, but overall it left me a bit cold. It was a light read that would suit a summer beach or long plane ride. While I liked the Dominic, the male lead, Emma, the female lead, drove me nuts. She was so insecure and reactive. I wanted more maturity. Also the love was instant and neither character seemed to trust it. There was little chemistry to justify the insta-love. I did think the little boy Jesse was written well. He was as changeable and emotional as children can often be. He added a lot to the book.
As I said, I wanted to like this, but it was just okay for me. I think if the main characters had been stronger people it would have been more enjoyable. As it was, I kept wanting to shake them and tell them to grow up. Also, the ending felt manipulative and rather crappy.
I was happy to receive this book as part of the early review program. I wish my review was more positive. I will give Jane Green another try though. I have heard good things about her other novels.
