Book Review: Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book for my summer book club, and it turned out to be very different from the typical selections from this group. Katherine Center is a new author for me, and I started the book not knowing what to expect.

Strong female characters are a favorite of this book club, and Cassie is no exception -- a 26-year old female firefighter on a totally male crew in Austin, Texas. However, her mother calls her from Massachusetts and asks her to move there to help her out for a year due to blindness in one eye. Reluctantly Cassie agrees, uproots her life, and takes a firefighter position with a very chauvinistic crew.

Cassie is excellent at her job, gives it at least 110%, and is proud at being an overachiever. She wants to prove herself with her new crew and consistently goes above and beyond, as well as accepting the frequent pranks with a smile. Things are a little rocky with the new crew, but she instantly bonds (a little too much) with the rookie, who started the same day. She is very wary of developing a friendship or relationship because of the warnings from her previous (female) captain. We slowly find out more about Cassie's background -- her relationship with her mother (who left the family on Cassie's 16th birthday) and an assault she experienced in high school.

This book was a real surprise. It's the story of an incredibly resilient woman in a male-dominated field. It's also a book about friendship and romance. In addition, I learned a lot about firefighters! All in all, I highly recommend this book and will definitely be reading more by this author!

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Book Review: The It Girl by Ruth Ware

The It Girl by Ruth Ware
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another fantastic page-turner from Ruth Ware!  And of course I stayed up much too late in order to finish this book.

The story is set at Oxford University (England).  Shy Hannah is paired with wealthy and beautiful April as a roommate -- the "It Girl."  She is immediately immersed with April's friend group of Will, Hugh, Ryan and Emily, and they spend all their time with each other.  It's not a spoiler to reveal that April dies before the end of their first year at Oxford, and Hannah's testimony is instrumental in convicting the killer.  Fast forward 10 years and Hannah is married to Will and expecting their first child.  New evidence is uncovered which causes Hannah to seriously doubt what she saw.  Thus begins her quest to determine the truth about April's death.

I loved the sense of time and place that this book conveys -- Oxford, college days, academia, friendships.  The chapters alternate between "Before" and "After", and typically I don't like non-linear storytelling, but it really works here.  I was kept guessing throughout the book and read it in just a couple of days.  A solid 4 star thriller; highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books/Scout Press for an advanced reader copy of this title!

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Book Review: The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Last year I read Sulari Gentill's The Woman in the Library, which I absolutely loved!  It started with a murder in the Boston Public Library, and I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out what happened!

This book deals with Theo, a law school dropout who moves from Australia to Lawrence, Kansas to stay with her brother Gus, a lawyer.  She decides to focus on writing a novel instead and immerses herself in the literary community.  There's a murder, actually several murders, of people she has come in contact with.  

The plot is fast-paced, but I didn't think it was nearly as compelling as the previous book.  I really couldn't identify with Theo.  She was very impulsive and made a lot of poor choices and decisions.  Luckily Gus and his co-worker Mac were there to keep bailing her out of trouble, and I loved their camaraderie.  The story surrounds conspiracy theories and also focuses quite a bit on guns, gun ownership and gun violence.  My suggestion would be to read The Woman in the Library instead. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this advanced reader copy.  

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Book Review: Funny Story by Emily Henry

Funny Story by Emily Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full disclosure -- I love Emily Henry's books.  She always manages to come up with very interesting and unique situations, to write believable characters, to have them encounter plausible obstacles, and most of all write incredible dialog!  I just immerse myself into the world in each of her books, wanting to be friends with her characters.

Funny Story has everything in my personal reading wheelhouse:  a children's librarian, set in Traverse City, Michigan, wine, books, and reading!  Daphne is the children's librarian who moved to northern Michigan with her fiance, whose family lives there.  At his bachelor party he realizes that he is in love with his childhood platonic friend and breaks up with Daphne.  In a twist of fate, she moves in with Miles, the ex-boyfriend of said childhood friend who needs a new roommate.  Daphne is an introvert trying to make her way in a relatively new town where all of her friends were actually her fiance's friends.  Miles serves as an unofficial area tour guide, and you can predict what happens next.

I just need Emily Henry to write faster!  It's difficult to wait for her next book.  However, it's gratifying to know that three of her books are in the process of being made into movies!  I can't wait!
https://www.today.com/popculture/books/emily-henry-movie-adaptations-rcna78519

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Book Review: The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman (Thursday Murder Club #2)

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second book in this series is even more compelling than the first!  Elizabeth, Ron, Joyce and Ibrahim once again band together and face danger from multiple sources.  However, their creativity, resourcefulness, and experience save the day. 

I absolutely love these characters and the dialog -- I often find myself laughing out loud while reading this series.  Ron's visiting grandson, Kendrick, is a precocious 8-year old who plays a very important role in solving one of the mysteries.  I hope to see more of him in upcoming books.

As in the first book in the series, there are quite a few characters coming and going, both primary and peripheral.  Pay attention and read carefully or you'll need to go back and re-read sections.  

I'm looking forward to reading #3 in the this series!

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Book Review: Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand (Nantucket #4)

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Apparently, this is the last book in Elin Hilderbrand's Nantucket series and she is planning on retiring.  She has written dozens of books over the past 20 plus years, so she certainly deserves retirement! 

I have read quite a few of her books and thoroughly enjoy all of them.  They are light, quick reads, but also contain serious subject matter interspersed throughout.  This one is no exception.  If you haven't read any other books in this series, no worries -- you'll catch on quickly.  If you have read some of her other books, you'll be happy to see familiar characters and settings.

I typically look forward to a new book by her every summer.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do next year!

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reader copy.

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Book Review: The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Get a glimpse into the fame, lifestyle, notoriety, lack of privacy, and eventual collateral damage of being a celebrity or the significant other of a celebrity.

Solene is a gallery owner, divorced, and mom to Isabelle.  When her ex-husband can't take Isabelle to meet August Moon, the latest thing in boy bands, Solene steps in.  She meets Hayes Carpenter, one of the band members, and the mutual attraction is immediate.  However, she is approaching 40 and he is 20.  They start a romance which takes them to multiple cities over multiple months.  As anticipated, things get complicated.  It's a page-turner and you'll want to find out how things work out.  Coming soon as a streaming movie. 

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Book Review: This Is Happiness by Niall Williams

This Is Happiness by Niall Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a book club selection, and I had the toughest time trying to get into the book.  My husband recommended that I read a little slower, taking in the language, the setting and the characters, rather than trying to speed through reading like I usually do.  He also suggested that I listen to the audio instead of reading the print book.  A genius suggestion!  It was read by Dermot Crowley, an Irish actor, and he brought the story to life for me!

Noel (Noe) is a young man who goes to live with his grandparents (Ganga and Doady) in Faha, a small village on the western coast of Ireland in County Clare.  The story is told through his eyes, looking back as an old man at the magical time he spent in Faha.  We experience the people and the pace of small town life.  Electricity is coming to Faha, and Christy is one of the workers sent to help the residents sign up.  He rents a room from Ganga and Doady, and consequently he and Noe end of spending a lot of time together over the months.  They share love, loss, music, pubs and much more.  

I finished this book a week ago, but I am still thinking about the story, the language, its beauty and Faha.  Highly recommended, especially the audio version!  Please read the other Goodreads reviews; they are much better at describing the language, the setting, and the way that this book made me feel!

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Book Review: Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America by Karine Jean-Pierre

Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America by Karine Jean-Pierre
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A wonderful memoir by the current Press Secretary to President Biden. She writes about her background -- born to Haitian immigrants in Martinque and eventually moving to Queens. Both her parents were hard-working individuals who worked long hours at multiple jobs to make ends meet. Her parents wanted her to become a doctor, but after failing the MCAT exams she obtained a master's degree in Public Affairs from Columbia University. She entered politics after grad school, working for Walmart Watch, John Edward's presidential campaign, for the Obama administration, and more.

I was fascinated to read the "behind-the-scenes" information about politics and political figures. The book was published in 2019, and ends right after Trump's inauguration. I wish she would write another book discussing her life with the Biden presidency. I highly recommend this book for those interested in "inside politics."

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Book Review: Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra

Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW! What a page turner! Jimmy Fallon's audience voted during his March Madness Sweet Sixteen book club bracket and selected this thriller as his Spring Book Club selection. I was surprised to be able to get it from my local library immediately, so I dug right in. I just couldn't put it down, but I also had to be careful not to read it too late at night. I'm a real sissy when it comes to thrillers, women/children in danger, haunted houses and unexplained noises.

The first sentence in the book caught my interest immediately - "There was someone in the house." My heart was beating rapidly every minute I read this book. I couldn't read it fast enough. I broke my rule to stay up late in order to finish it. And it was worth it! (And I didn't have any bad dreams....)

This book has all the thriller tropes: a mother trying to protect her children from an intruder, alone in the house, having to leave the children in order to get help, an unreliable narrator, people in power not believing her story, etc. But Tracy Sierra makes it all work! I don't want to go into too much detail because I want readers to approach the book with the same clean slate I had. You are going to love it!

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Book Review: At My Italian Table: Family Recipes from My Cucina to Yours: A Cookbook by Laura Vitale

At My Italian Table: Family Recipes from My Cucina to Yours: A Cookbook by Laura Vitale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Laura Vitale's second cookbook is a love letter to her Nonna and all the other Italian relatives who provided recipes and ideas for this book. She grew up in Naples, but moved to the United States when she was 12 to live with her father. She was desperately homesick for all her relatives and her life in Italy. She was talking to nonna on the phone, explaining her longing for her cooking, when nonna told her to make the "Sunday sauce" and gave her the recipe. Thus began her love of cooking.

The book is divided into 5 sections: Before Dinner Snacking, Quick & Easy Mains (my fave!), An Italian Sunday, Seriously Good Vegetable Sides & Salads, and Sweet Endings. The recipes run the gamut from quick and easy to those you make when you have the luxury of time (Sunday suppers). Typically the recipes are no-nonsense without fuss and obscure ingredients, which is right up my alley.

This book is highly recommended, and I'm anxious to get my hands on her other cookbook, Laura in the Kitchen, published in 2015. And also to view Cooking Channel and YouTube shows!

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Book Review: A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #7)

A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In my opinion, Louise Penny's books just keep getting better and better as her series progresses.  I'm a little obsessive in that I always read a series in order of publication, so I've read all six of her previous books.  At this point, I am inclined to rush through the rest of the series (a total of 18 at this point, with another one to be published later in 2024).  But I have to force myself to pace my reading, in order to make the joy of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and the Three Pines residents last!

Clara Morrow is preparing for her one-person show at the Musee d'Art Contemporain in Montreal.  There's an after-party in Three Pines after the opening, and a woman is found dead the following morning -- murdered in Clara and Peter's garden.  Enter Chief Inspector Gamache and Inspector Jean Guy Beauvoir to talk to the Three Pines residents, do their typical deep dive into the scenario, and ultimately determine the killer.  

This book has everything that I look for in a mystery series -- mystery, intrigue, smart characters, wonderful setting, beautiful descriptions, and more.  We are immersed in the art field - curators, museums, agents, gallery owners, and terminology.  I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series!

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Book Review: The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa

The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an intriguing book, published originally in Japan in 1994 but not translated to English until 2019. I read it for one of my book clubs, and was really glad to be able to discuss it with others! It helped clarify several points in the book, and also prompted me to look into the author's background and her life.

There are only three characters in the book, all nameless -- the female narrator (an author), 'the old man' (a friend of her family), and 'R' (her book editor). They live on a small island which is controlled by the Memory Police. Gradually everyday items "were disappeared"; items such as birds, flowers, hats, bells, etc. When they disappear, the residents of the island all destroy any of the items that they possess and very quickly all memories of these items are erased.

However, some of the island residents don't forget about these disappeared items. They actually remember everything and often hoard and hide these items in order to keep them from the Memory Police. The Memory Police make surprise raids on houses, confiscate items, and frequently take away individuals or families, who are never seen again.

The narrator's mother was one of the individuals who was taken by the Memory Police, and her book editor was in danger of the same fate. Therefore, she and the old man built a hiding place for him in her house. It definitely has parallels with Anne Frank, and I discovered that she is the reason that Ogawa became an author. In fact, she has written two books on the subject of Anne Frank.

This novel also features a 'book within a book' which is told in pieces throughout the book. It was written by the narrator, and is a curious and unsettling tale with many parallels to her own experiences.

This book is a quiet, character-based story but still has the ability to captivate the reader. It's quite a page-turner because I wanted to find out what happens to them.

"But our memories were diminishing day by day, for when something disappeared from the island, all memory of it vanished too."

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Book Review: Emma by Jane Austen

Emma by Jane Austen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wanted to read a traditional classic novel this winter, when I knew I had more time for reading.  I started reading Emma right after Christmas but set it aside several times.  Winter in Michigan can be unpredictable, but I finally realized that I'd better get going if I wanted to finish it before gardening season!

I'm a fairly fast reader, but the language and characters forced me to slow down and appreciate the social mores and conventions of Austen's day.  I read a couple of essays on how to approach and read Austen, and I have to admit that they were very helpful.  I would highly recommend the Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition which celebrates the 200th anniversary of the original publication.   Juliet Wells (Goucher College) writes a reader's guide, along with information on alternate spellings and definitions of words.  She also includes quite a few essays about the aspects of the cultural context:  dancing, dining, politics, etc..  I read it on my Kindle and this edition was available from my local public library through Libby.   

I've read most of Jane Austen's books and thought that I had already read this one, but I guess I never did.  I have fond memories of the Gwyneth Paltrow / Jeremy Northam movie and plan to re-watch it very soon.  Also on my to-be-viewed list is the Anya Taylor-Joy movie version and the Jonny Lee Miller mini-series.

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Book Review: The Goodbye Man by Jeffery Deaver (Colter Shaw #2)

The Goodbye Man by Jeffery Deaver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's very rare that I finish one book in a series and go right into the next book in that same series.  I usually like to leave several months between series books.  However, the first Colter Shaw book was so compelling that I put the second one on hold at the library and started reading it immediately.

Shaw goes to Washington State in order to investigate a hate crime and the two young men charged.  From there he discovers a cult which is supposed to be a type of inpatient grief support and counseling organization.  He uncovers incredible criminal activity on the part of the founder and employees, along with the duping of the grief-stricken residents.  After breaking up the organization and handing evidence over to the authorities, he goes back to Echo Ridge, his family's mountainous homestead in order to further track information left by his father.

Once again, we are left with a cliffhanger, so I assume that I'll be heading back to the library to get book #3 in the series!

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Book Review: Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz (Susan Ryeland #1)

Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A wonderful murder mystery set in a small English village in 1955, it is definitely reminiscent of Agatha Christie's style and detective Hercule Poirot.

This is actually a story within a story.  There's the 1955 murder mystery, along with the subsequent story of Susan Ryeland, the editor who will be publishing the book in present day.  The structure of the book is so intriguing!  I'm not going to divulge much of the plot in order to avoid spoilers, but suffice is to say that you should just buckle your seat belt and go along for the fantastic ride!  It kept me guessing until the final pages.  I'm looking forward to the second book in this series - Moonflower Murders.  

Reader be aware:  It is sometimes difficult to follow the multiple characters and to figure out whether I was reading about the 1955 events or the present day characters and events.  I read the Kindle version, but ended up checking out the print book from the library so I could go back and re-read certain sections.  There's also an audio version of this book, but I can't imagine trying to keep everything straight while listening to the stories.  

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Dearborn Area: Donate Your Books for a Good Cause! Upcoming AAUW Used Book Sale

If you are doing spring cleaning and decluttering your book shelves, please consider donating your used books for the upcoming AAUW Used Book Sale.  Details and hours below.

And mark your calendar for their Annual Book Sale - October 4th - 6th, 2024.

 

Book Review: The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver (Colter Shaw #1)

The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book in a series by Jeffery Deaver focusing on Colter Shaw, an expert tracker who finds people and collects rewards.  But there's so much more to Shaw and to his work.  This is a fast-paced thriller and page-turner, taking Shaw into the wild world of video gaming in order to find and save the three missing individuals. 

We also find out about Shaw's backstory:  his parents moved Shaw and his two siblings to The Compound in the California mountains when Shaw was very young.  They lived off the grid -- no TV, no phones, virtually no contact with the outside world.  His father taught the kids how to survive in the wilderness, skills which come in handy in his current line of work.  

Shaw is a loner looking for justice.  His character reminded me a little of Lee Child's Jack Reacher, another series that I love.  

These books are the basis for the new CBS Sunday night show, Tracker, which premiered after the Super Bowl.  The TV show seems to be based more on the character of Shaw rather than the details of the books, at least the first one that I read.  But once I finished this book, I immediately put the next one in the series on hold at my library, which speaks to how it grabbed me!  I'll definitely be following Colter Shaw into his next adventures.

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Book Review: The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl

The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stella St. Vincent is a young woman who is a shy, introverted book editor, very withdrawn into herself.  Her estranged mother is outgoing, always surrounded by men, and the life of every party.  When her mother dies, she leaves her a one-way ticket to Paris along with the note "go to Paris."  Stella complies, takes a leave of absence from her job, ends up making quite a personal transformation, and finds herself, in spite of herself!

The setting was Paris in the 1980's.  We encounter food, restaurants, chefs, art, fashion, the Shakespeare & Company bookstore, books, and reading.  All the things I absolutely love in a book.  She meets people along the way who befriend her and help her out.  She has a wonderful way of expressing herself, whether it's eating an oyster, viewing a beautiful painting, wearing couture fashion, or looking at Parisian street life.

The author has such a way of transporting the reader to the locale, in this case - Paris!  I have read several other books by Ruth Reichl and find this to be true of all of her writings.  I really love reading her books and would highly recommend this new novel, her second.  It is due to be published April 23, 2024.  Run, don't walk, to your local library or bookstore, grab it and read it --you won't be disappointed.  While you are at it, check out her first novel, Delicious, published in 2014, along with all of her non-fiction books.  Be aware of content warnings for this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Book Review: Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner

Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's 1955 in post-war London and Vivien Lowry is a movie script writer. After a scathing review of the play she wrote, a friend convinces her to move to Rome and work for the famous Cinecitta Studio. Rome in 1955 is an absolutely beautiful setting. We get a peek into the film industry, the Vatican's attempt to censor the films made there, the glamour of the lifestyle, the Italian food and nightlife, and the close friendships that Vivian develops. We also get to see the long-term lingering effects of the war.

We know Vivien from Natalie Jenner’s previous novel The Bloomsbury Girls, which I absolutely loved, along with her first novel The Jane Austen Society. I really wanted to love this book as well, but it just didn’t live up to her other two.

There were a lot of characters to keep track of, but it helped that she included a comprehensive Cast of Characters along with a brief synopsis of each one. In her author's note she mentions a map, but apparently it was missing from my advanced reader copy. It would have helped to know all the Rome locations she mentioned in the book.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Book Review: Stories from the sidewalk: a walk through 137 years that shaped dearborn by The Museum Guild of Dearborn

Stories from the sidewalk: a walk through 137 years that shaped dearborn by Christopher Merlo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a beautiful coffee table book which describes many of the original historical houses in Dearborn, Michigan.  The houses are primarily those in West Dearborn, just north of Michigan Avenue and beyond the Rouge River.  Each page contains a current glossy photo of the house with information about when it was built, the architect, the year it was built and background information on the original and subsequent homeowners.  Fascinating reading for any Dearborn resident!!

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Book Review: Alex Cross Must Die by James Patterson (#32 Alex Cross)

Alex Cross Must Die by James Patterson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm very disappointed in this latest entry in the Alex Cross series (#32). There is WAY too much going on with four different story lines -- two for Alex and John Sampson, and two for Bree. There's a serial killer on the loose, a plane has been shot out of the sky, there's a missing CEO, and a missing college friend of Jannie's.

The chapters alternate between the various mysteries, and we all know that the Patterson chapters are extremely short. We only get a brief glimpse deeper into one of the story line when ...WHOOPS....we are thrown into another brief update on a different story line. It is so jumbled together that after the first 50 pages, I was ready to give up. I ended up skimming the rest of the book but it was so unsatisfying compared to many of his others.

I will seriously think twice (or three times!) before I attempt to read #33 in the Alex Cross series! I am shocked that this book received a Goodreads score of 4.31 (out of 5) with 11,143 ratings!!

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Book Review: The Home Edit: Stay Organized: The Ultimate Guide to Making Systems Stick by Clea Shearer

The Home Edit: Stay Organized: The Ultimate Guide to Making Systems Stick by Clea Shearer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

HELP!  I got pulled in to another The Home Edit ROYGBIV organizational porn book!  This book is focused on staying organized and decluttered after the initial effort.  Once again it's page after glossy page of items organized by COLOR!  It was interesting that they included "Before" and "After" pictures, but to be honest the "Before" pictures looked better than 99% of the drawers, closets and pantries that I've ever seen!

I found some of their decisions so shocking that they were funny:  pickles and wine are considered an "unholy marriage" in the refrigerator, so throw away the pickles; throw away your potato masher ("who mashes their own potatoes?"); kids' snacks lying loose on their sides made them feel "sad."  Also, make sure that your kids don't choose activities that require bulky equipment that need to be stored in your garage.  

There is definitely not much substance in their books, and they rely on pretty pictures to sell their books.  Must resist!

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Book Review: How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin (Castle Knoll Files #1)

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is apparently the first book in a series -- Castle Knoll Files.  It is set in a small town in rural England and has dual narrators along with dual time frames.  Frances is 17 years old in 1965 and has her fortune told at a local country fair -- "...All signs point to your murder."  Her story is told through her diary.  Annie is 25 years old in present day and is summoned to a meeting with Great Aunt Frances to discuss her role as sole benefactor.  She arrives only to discover that Great Aunt Frances has recently been killed.  The details of her will require that either Annie or nephew-by-marriage Saxon to solve her murder within one week in order to inherit the estate. 

The plot itself is intriguing and had potential, but didn't live up to my expectations.  The story was not as fast-paced as I would like.  There are too many characters, especially multiple generations of families to keep track of.  Red herrings abound, along with dangling plot lines and unresolved situations.  For those readers who may have gotten bogged down by the many characters and muddled details, everything is pretty much explained in one of the final chapters.  

It was an entertaining cozy mystery, but readers must pay close attention to the various characters and situations in order to follow along with the plot.  I'm not sure that I can recommend this book, and will probably not be reading the sequels.  

Many thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy and an honest review. The book is due to be published March 26, 2024

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Book Review: Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vera Wong lives in Chinatown in San Francisco and is the owner of Vera Wang's World-Famous Teahouse (hoping to capitalize on Vera Wang's name recognition!). One morning she discovers a dead man lying in the middle of her shop. Anxious to assist the police, she draws a white marker around the body, takes the flash drive from the dead man's hand, makes the tea which will clear their minds, and keeps asking about when they will take fingerprints. Frustrated with their inaction, she decides to take detective matters into her own hands.

Vera encounters four individuals who are each linked to the dead man in some way and may also appear to be guilty of the crime. The group ends up developing a familial-like friendship and hilarity ensues as they try to solve the crime together. This is a charming, warmhearted, cozy mystery and I loved learning more about each of the characters. It was a very quick read and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

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Book Review: Here We Go Again: Recipes and Inspiration to Level Up Your Leftovers by Tiffani Thiessen

Here We Go Again: Recipes and Inspiration to Level Up Your Leftovers by Tiffani Thiessen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is Tiffani Thiessen's second cookbook, which she wrote during the pandemic.  It's an absolute genius idea -- how to use the leftovers that we all have and make them into something wonderful and delicious to eat!  This ranges from stale bread and bagels, the dregs of snack bags, the last of the wine bottle, extra pieces of cheese, veggies lingering in the crisper, and small amounts of mayo.  She has two young children and a hungry husband who serve as her tasters (and are also included in various photos throughout the book).  The book is totally retro -- her outfits, the serving dishes, the decor, and the real emphasis on orange, avocado green, and harvest gold colors!  Beautiful photos of virtually all the recipes.  I'm definitely going to be trying quite a few of her ideas!

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Book Review: Here in the Dark by Alexis Soloski

Here in the Dark by Alexis Soloski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vivian Parry is a NYC theater critic who lives a small quiet life in between attending the theater and writing her typically very critical reviews.  In order to cope with a serious trauma ten years ago in college, she has withdrawn from most of the world with alcohol, drugs, and sex with strangers.  She comes alive in the theater as the lights go down and lives vicariously through the players on the stage.

A graduate student contacts her requesting an interview for some research he is doing.  She is very unsettled by some information he has about her past and leaves the interview abruptly.  She later finds out that he has gone missing and she is the last person to see him alive.  Thus begins the cat and mouse game of Vivian trying to figure out what happened to the student, and fearing for her life.  This was an incredible thriller and page-turner!

I originally heard about this book when Maureen Corrigan reviewed it on NPR.  "Soloski, too, might have played it safe, but, fortunately for us readers she didn't. Instead of writing a coy send-up of a theatrical thriller, she's written a genuinely disturbing suspense tale that explores the theater of cruelty life can sometimes be."  

https://www.npr.org/2023/11/30/1215944414/book-review-here-in-the-dark-alexis-soloski-the-mystery-guest-nita-prose

I'm really looking forward to what Alexis Soloski writes next!

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Book Review: Real Tigers by Mick Herron (Slough House / Slow Horses #3)

Real Tigers by Mick Herron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the third in the Slough House / Slow Horses series by Mick Herron, and it is just a fast-paced and page-turning as the first two books.  Many of the same Slow Horses characters are seen again here, along with two new 'recruits.'  Catherine Standish is kidnapped early in the book, and her teammates set out to find and rescue her only to discover that it's part of a much larger plot against MI-5.  In spite of the fact that they have been away from the action and removed from field work, they are able to work together to accomplish what MI-5 wasn't able to, proving again that you can always depend on the Slow Horses.

I love delving into the characters of each of the agents, and also really appreciate the dark humor.  Once again, I'm glad I read the Kindle version so I could easily look up the various British slang terms.

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Book Review: The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow - this was quite a page-turning thriller!  I finished the book in under 24 hours, which is quite an accomplishment for me.  Of course the Michigan sub-zero temperatures this week certainly provided me with more reading time than usual!

The setting of the book is a posh Parisian apartment building.   Each chapter it told from the point of view of a different resident.  We see the same scene told from different perspectives, and not all of the residents can be counted on for reliable narration!  

Jess quits her job in a British pub on the spur of the moment and goes to Paris, where her step-brother is living, hoping to stay a few days and get a fresh start.  He's not there when she arrives, which is surprising since she just talked to him on the phone earlier that day.  She starts asking his neighbors in the apartment building, but no one seems to know anything and there are a lot of suspicious characters.  From there we are taken on a very bumpy ride while she uncovers what really happened to her step-brother and what is transpiring in the apartment building.

This is the first book that I've ready by Lucy Foley, but it definitely won't be the last!  If you like Only Murders in the Building, you'll definitely enjoy this book.  Just the thing for a cold winter's day and a hot cuppa tea!

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Book Review: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot #4)

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was a huge Agatha Christie fan when I was a teenager, and read many of her books including this one. I always remember this as one of her unique books, and I was anxious to re-read it for an upcoming book club. Needless to say, it has survived the test of time. It's also the kind of book that I want to start re-reading immediately after finishing it just to examine the clues and see the structure.

As often happens in small English country villages, there are a number of suspicious deaths and murders. The local doctor, James Sheppard, is the narrator of the story and he is assisted by Hercule Poirot who has just retired and moved in next door. We follow along as they discover clues, interview individuals, and of course Hercule Poirot solves the crime in the end.

This is the sixth book that she has written, and her fourth Hercule Poirot novel. It is also the book which catapulted her to fame. The British Crime Writers' Association voted it the Best Crime Novel ever in 2013. I absolutely love the 1st edition cover of this book from 1926 - https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/57/The_Murder_of_Roger_Ackroyd_First_Edition_Cover_1926.jpg/220px-The_Murder_of_Roger_Ackroyd_First_Edition_Cover_1926.jpg

I read the Kindle version of the book which contains quite a bit of bonus content: A Forward by James Prichard (the great grandson of Agatha Christie); An Introduction by Louise Penny; a letter from Agatha Christie to her publisher; Poirot's Favorite Cases; and Creating Poirot (both written by Agatha Christie herself!). I would definitely recommend getting your hands on the Kindle version in order to read these wonderful documents!

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Book Review: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an intensive family saga, written by the author of Dear Edward.  It takes place primarily in Chicago from 1960 through 2008.  It focuses on the four Padavano sisters - Julia, Sylvie and the twins Emeline and Cecelia - who are very close in age and who do everything together.  Julia meets William at Northwestern, they date and end up marrying soon after.  William had grown up in an emotionally vacant household, but he is immediately welcomed into Julia's large and boisterous family. 

As the years progress, we learn about the sisters' strengths and weaknesses, their hopes, dreams and realities, their good and bad decisions, and overall their sisterly love.  The title refers to how the Padavano father greets each of the girls as they come into a room -- "Hello Beautiful!"  

It was a little difficult to get enveloped into the story and to be honest, I thought it was a little long.  It also felt like a book set in an earlier time, perhaps the 1940s and 1950s.  Content warnings apply.

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Book Review: Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child (Jack Reacher #11)

Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I originally read this Jack Reacher book in series order back in 2018.  Recently, I decided to re-read it while I'm watching Reacher season 2 on Prime.   Needless to say, I didn't remember many of the plot details when I started watching the series.  And I thoroughly enjoyed the second reading, although I have to say that other than the characters and the basic premise, virtually all other plot lines have been changed in the streaming series. 

We get to see Reacher during his military police days in the Army, along with the other seven members of his Special Investigation Team.  A few years after the team has broken up, Reacher and three of his team members band together to investigate what happened to the other four team members.

We also get to see how Reacher's mind works with numbers, starting with the SOS number code on his ATM bank balance.  He is continually doing math problems in his head throughout the book.  And for those readers who have watched Reacher season 1, you'll be happy to know that Neagley is back as a major character in this book.  

All in all, a great throwback Jack Reacher book.  

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Goodreads 2024 Reading Challenge

Goodreads - 2024 Reading Challenge

If you are interested in tracking your reading for the year, you may want to join the Goodreads 2024 Reading Challenge.  Just go to this website and indicate how many books you want to read --
https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/11634

Indicate how many books you want to finish this year and they will help you stay on track! 

I'm being conservative and have once again selected an annual goal of 52 books for the year.

Book Review: Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos (Love Walked In #2)

Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely love the fact that my final book of 2023 is another 5-star book!  This is the second book in Marisa de los Santos' "Love Walked In" series; I read the first one a couple of years ago.

Some of the same characters are included in this book, plus several new ones.  The plot revolves around Cornelia, who has moved to suburban Philadelphia with her husband, Teo.  After a few false starts, she makes friends with her neighbor, Piper.  She also meets Lake in the grocery and they immediately connect.  Not everything is going smoothly for these women; they are each having a challenging year for a variety of reasons.  I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't stop reading the book.  

De los Santos' writing is incredible -- sharp, witty dialog; elaborate descriptions; wonderful language.  I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by this talented author!

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Book Review: Cross Down by James Patterson (Alex Cross #31)

Cross Down by James Patterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is marketed as an Alex Cross novel, but in reality it focuses almost exclusively on John Sampson.  Alex and John are working together on an inter-agency group initiated by the president in hopes of halting the myriad terrorist attacks across the U.S.  Early the book Alex is sidelined after an ambush and is recuperating in the ICU after surgery.  Alex and the rest of the Cross gang are all present in the book, but are really just tertiary characters. 

The tone is very different from the typical Alex Cross novels, and I would label it more as a military thriller.  John Sampson goes rogue along with FBI buddy Ned Mahoney.  And I was a little surprised by the level of violence; the body count is almost as high as a John Wick movie.  In the end, John and Ned save the day...the president...and the country.

It's a quick read, includes Patterson's trademark short chapters, and held my interest.  However, it definitely feels like the beginning of a spinoff series for John Sampson, as is evidenced by the fact that Patterson has a co-author on this book (one thing he hasn't had for any of the other Alex Cross books).  

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Book Review: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An incredible book about friendship, partnership, love, and most of all video games.  Sam and Sadie meet in a hospital game room when they are 12 years old.  Sam has been in a car accident, was seriously injured, and hasn't spoken to anyone since.  They bond through playing video games together.  Fast forward 10 years and they meet on a subway platform in Boston, where they are both in college.  Together they develop an incredibly successful video game and form a company with Sam's roommate, Marx.  It follows the three of them over the next decade of their careers.

The deep dive into the video game industry was fascinating for me.  However, the book is about so much more than just video games.  It's about the volatile friendship between Sam and Sadie, and their ongoing relationship ups and downs.  It's a character-driven novel that shows life isn't always predictable and pretty and successful.

I'm still thinking about this book more than a week after I've finished it, which is a sure sign that it has made an impact and will be one of my 2023 favorites!

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Book Review: Cook It Up: Bold Moves for Family Foods: A Cookbook by Alex Guarnaschelli and Ava Clark

Cook It Up: Bold Moves for Family Foods: A Cookbook by Alex Guarnaschelli
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you watch Food Network at all, you are probably familiar with Alex Guarnaschelli. I have enjoyed watching her cook for years. Now she and her 15-year old daughter, Ava, have collaborated on a cookbook with their favorite foods. It's fun to read their introductions to the recipes; you get the chef/mother point of view, along with the Tik Tok daughter recipe enhancements! I particularly enjoyed the Pasta and Meats chapters.

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Book Review: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa; Translated by Eric Ozawa

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This novella was written by the Japanese author Satoshi Yagisawa, and translated to English.  It follows young Takako who is suddenly jilted by her boyfriend and falls into a deep depression.  Her uncle owns a used bookstore in the Tokyo book district and encourages her to come and live above the bookstore in exchange for working in the shop every morning.  After a few weeks, Takako starts reading some of the books.  She also explores the neighborhood and develops some friendships.

This is a quiet character study which delves deep into family, relationships and friendships.  It was written in 2010 and the movie was released later that same year.  It's definitely in my wheelhouse -- books, the joy of reading, and bookstores.  At under 150 pages, it can be read in one sitting.  Pour yourself a cup of tea and enjoy!  

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Book Review: This Year It Will Be Different, and other stories by Maeve Binchy

This Year It Will Be Different, and other stories by Maeve Binchy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Maeve Binchy is an international treasure; I have loved every single one of her books that I've read.  This one is no exception!  I always like to read a Christmas novel in December, and this one was perfect -- a collection of short stories.   Highly recommended for anyone who wants to get into the Christmas spirit; snuggle up with a cuppa tea and read this book.

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Book Review: Familia: 125 Foolproof Mexican Recipes to Feed Your People by Marcela Valladolid

Familia: 125 Foolproof Mexican Recipes to Feed Your People by Marcela Valladolid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A beautifully photographed book of traditional Mexican recipes.  Marcela and her sister Carina developed a live Instagram cooking show and demonstration at the beginning of the pandemic, and this wonderful cookbook evolved out of that. 

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Book Review: The Ensemble by Aja Gabel

The Ensemble by Aja Gabel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a very compelling debut novel about the members of the Van Ness string quartet, set over a period of 16 years:  Jana (violin), Brit (2nd violin), Henry (viola), and Daniel (cello).  There are actually five main characters in this novel, the fifth being the string quartet itself and the book relates how the four musicians come together to play as a cohesive group.  The story is alternately told from the various points of view of the  musicians, and delves deep into their personal lives, their relationships with others in the quartet, and their lives outside the quartet.  Over the years there are ups and downs, joys and sadness, successes and failures.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be looking forward to more by this author.

This novel is definitely for the music lover.  The various pieces of music are listed in the beginning of each section.  There is also a Spotify playlist for the pieces discussed in this book.

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Book Review: The Home Edit Life: The No-Guilt Guide to Owning What You Want and Organizing Everything by Clea Shearer

The Home Edit Life: The No-Guilt Guide to Owning What You Want and Organizing Everything by Clea Shearer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Oh no!  It happened again...I got pulled into another home organization porn book!  I just couldn't turn away; I had to look at all the glossy photos of people's shoe closets, bathroom storage, refrigerators, party closets, pet supplies and many more.  All arranged in matching bins or canisters, all arranged by color.  There are a few more organizational tips in this book than there were in the first, but there isn't a whole lot of substance; they rely on the photographs to tell the story.  I do like their 80/20 rule:  keep your home no more than 80% full and reserve at least 20% for breathing room.  However, I simply cannot keep by tea organized by package color.  And I certainly don't understand the concept of organizing your phone apps by color!!  Perhaps it's the librarian in me, but I tend to organize everything by logical groupings.

Recommended for anyone who wants to look at Instagram photos in a book.  

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Book Review: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ann Patchett's latest novel is a family saga set in northern Michigan.  Lara and her husband Joe live on a cherry farm in Traverse City.  Their three adult daughters have returned home at the beginning of the pandemic to help harvest the cherries.  To pass the time, the girls ask their mother to tell them the story of how she met and fell in love with Peter Duke, before he was a famous actor.  The story weaves seamlessly between present day and Lara's time spent as an actor in the summer stock play of "Our Town" in a nearby small town, Tom Lake.

Patchett's writing draws the reader into the romance, peacefulness, and beauty that is northern Michigan.  Her language, phrasing and characters are so compelling.  I was immediately drawn into Lara's backstory and her family, and kept trying to find time to sneak away and read more.  In addition, I learned so much about summer stock theater and cherry farming.  

I read this book on Kindle, but I have heard excellent reviews of Meryl Streep's performance in the audiobook and would like to listen to it in the near future.

Highly recommended!  I have read quite a few 5 star books recently -- ending the year with a bang!

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Review: Come and Get It

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is Kiley Reid's second novel, and after reading her first (Such a Fun Age, published in 2019), I was really looking forward to this one.  However, I was a little disappointed.

This book is set in a dormitory at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.  There is quite a large cast of characters, but the story primarily focuses on Millie (an RA at the dorm), Agatha (an English professor at the college), and five of the students in the dorm.  The novel is character-driven rather than plot-driven, and deals with the subjects of racism, LGBTQ, social inequities, financial goals, and student priorities.  I think this book might be better appreciated by those readers in the 20s who can identify with many of the characters.  

After her first book was published, I heard Kiley Reid speak at the Literati Bookstore in Ann Arbor and was very impressed.  Since then she has become an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan English Language & Literature Department.  I will definitely be looking forward to her next book in hopes that it is more consistent with the writing of her first book.  

Many thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. The book is due to be published January 9, 2024

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Book Review: Simply Symon Suppers: Recipes and Menus for Every Week of the Year: A Cookbook by Michael Symon

Simply Symon Suppers: Recipes and Menus for Every Week of the Year: A Cookbook by Michael Symon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is Michael Symon's 8th cookbook, and he focuses on the family meal tradition, "Sunday Supper," and seasonal meals.  The book is divided into four seasonal chapter, plus holidays, desserts, and batch cocktails.  Each of the recipes in the seasonal sections is actually an entire meal -- main dish paired with a side and a salad.  Due to his heritage, there's an emphasis on Greek/Mediterranean and Eastern European recipes.  Beautiful glossy photos are included for all of the dishes.  Plus there's a handy chart in the back with all the recipes listed, plus their designation if they are flour-, dairy-, or meat-free.  Lots of recipes that I want to try!!  Highly recommended.

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Book Review: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an incredible book, told in a fascinating way.  I finished it three weeks ago, and I'm *still* thinking about it!  There are four different points of time in this novel ranging from 1912 to 2203, encompassing different characters, locations, and points of view.  And interestingly enough, some of the characters are woven into multiple time frames.  The author has a way with language, and the reader is quietly drawn into each of the worlds. 

I read The Glass Hotel by this author last year, and was delightfully surprised to find a couple of the characters and story lines from that book appearing in this book!  And to be honest, I think I should re-read Sea of Tranquility now that I know and understand the time structure.  

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Book Review: Resurrection Walk by Michael Connelly (Lincoln Lawyer #7; Harry Bosch #37)

Resurrection Walk by Michael Connelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another book (#7) in Michael Connelly's Lincoln Lawyer (Mickey Haller) series.  The bonus is that Harry Bosch plays a very large part in this book, and Renee Ballard even appears in a small role! 

Mickey Haller has just gotten an innocent man released from prison after serving 14 years of a life-without-parole sentence.  As a result, he is receiving dozens of letters from other prisoners claiming their innocence.  Harry is helping him by reviewing these requests and investigating their cases.  He comes across a letter from a young woman who was imprisoned for killing her husband, a sheriff's deputy.  Haller and Bosch work together to uncover additional evidence and present it to the court for possible vacating of her 11-year prison sentence.

The novel is told in alternating points of view -- Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch -- which is very effective in this situation.  I flew through this 400-page book in just a couple of days, anxious to discover the outcome of the case.  I often find that court cases written by other authors are just too detailed and slow-moving, but Michael Connelly consistently writes extremely page-turning accounts of court proceedings.  

I was lucky to put this book on hold at my library well before its publication date, and was one of the first to read it!  Now if I can only wait until he writes another Harry Bosch / Renee Ballard book!

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Book Review: Viviana Valentine Gets Her Man by Emily J. Edwards (Viviana Valentine #1)

Viviana Valentine Gets Her Man by Emily J. Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Viviana Valentine is a street-smart secretary (Girl Friday) to Tommy Fortuna, the best private investigator in the city.  The time is 1950, the place is New York City.  Their agency has just been hired by one of the city's richest men to investigate his daughter.  Everything goes south when Tommy goes missing, an unidentified man is found unresponsive on their office floor, and Viviana is followed and attacked.  She must use her own powers of deduction to help the local police officers solve their current case. 

Viviana is such an interesting character, and definitely able to hold her own as a private investigator.  She's spunky and has a terrific sense of humor.  She lives in a Chelsea women's boarding house, and her roommates and house mother play a role in this book.  

It's what I would call 'book noir,' and the reader really gets the flavor of 1950s NYC through the dialog, characters, and description of the setting.  Highly recommended for a quick, entertaining read, and I'm really looking forward to reading the second book in this series!  

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Book Review: The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin

The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals by Clea Shearer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is coffee table home organization porn!  Page after glossy page of beautiful pictures of drawers, closets, cupboards, cabinets and pantries.  Everything arranged in a matching labelled bin or tray.  Milk, juice, cereal, flour, sugar, over-the-counter medications all taken out of their original packaging in order to be stored in glass containers.  Items all in ROYGBIV order -- rainbow color. 

I'm generously giving this book 3 stars.  There are some basic organizational techniques included:  start small with one drawer, take everything out, create groupings, and pare down your belongings.  But that's about all.  

Everything else in the book is the beautiful pictures which we all love to look longingly at.  Crayons, Lego and Hot Wheels cars divided into bins by color.   Bookcases with books arranged by color.  They even suggest arranging your spices by color!  But who are these people?!?  Do their drawers and cabinets really look like this?  And stay looking like this?  And who has toothpaste tubes in six different colors?

And they advocate going to the store and buying multiple bins and containers of various sizes.  After all, you can always return them.

This is an escapist book.  I got this book from my local library and spent a couple of hours dreaming of what my house could look like.  But then it was back to reality, and to my own spices which are arranged by type (baking, herbs, seeds, etc.).  I can recommend it for others who also like to dream about an organized home.  

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Book Review: The Measure by Nikki Erlick

The Measure by Nikki Erlick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW!  This is an incredible book!  Grabbed me from the first chapter and it was difficult to put it down.  I was a little hesitant about the book, and it's definitely not one that I would have selected myself.  It's categorized as science fiction and dystopic fiction, two genres that I typically don't like.  However, this one really worked for me. 

The premise is that one day everyone in the world receives their own box containing a string and a message - "The measure of your life lies within."   The length of the string indicates the length of their life.  There are short-stringers and long-stringers.

The story is told through short vignettes spotlighting about a dozen different characters.  Some of their lives are connected (siblings, partners) and some are complete strangers.  Some have long strings, some have short strings, and some have chosen not to open their boxes.  

What really worked for me was the interaction of all the characters.  We see them at their best and their worst, elated and depressed, hopeful and hopeless, loved and loveless.  It shows how they work through the knowledge of how long they have left and what they do with that time.  The book focuses on the haves and have-nots, social and healthcare inequalities, politics, quality of life, and more.  

I would highly recommend this book.  It is definitely going to be on my short list of good reads for 2023!  I read this for one of my book clubs and am anxious to discuss it with others.  

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