Book Review: You Are Here by David Nicholls

You Are Here by David Nicholls
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Immerse yourself in this wonderful fiction book about a trek across northern England through Cumbria and Yorkshire.  A mutual friend sets up a 3-day hike in northern England for seven people.  Two people drop out before departure, and then three more leave on the rainy second day.  Only Michael and Marnie remain and decide to extend the hike longer.  Both are recently divorced and finding it difficult to embark on new lives in the post-marriage and post-pandemic world.  The extended hike gives them more than enough time to get to know each other and slowly form a bond between them.  I thoroughly enjoyed their very intelligent, witty dialog.

We are immediately transported to rural England, which is at the same time rugged and beautiful.  We really get a sense of place in Nicholls' writing - feeling the heavy rain, viewing the spectacular scenery, and experiencing the excruciating fatigue after a long day's hike.  Maps of each section are included which is very helpful.  

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Book Review: No Plan B by Lee Child & Andrew Child (Jack Reacher #27)

No Plan B by Lee Child
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is #27 in the Jack Reacher series, and the third book written by both Lee Child and Andrew Child. 

I'm giving it 3 1/2 stars, but rounding it down to 3 stars.  Jack Reacher just hasn't been the same since Andrew Child was added as a co-writer.  The books have just lost their spark, their humor, and the look inside Reacher's mind as he assesses a situation, tries to figure out his next step, or just passes the time listening to the music in his head.  The books have just become very clinical and formulaic, with nothing to set them apart from other middle-of-the-road mystery/suspense/thrillers.

Reacher is still there to save the day for the underdog(s) and right the wrongs of the bad guys.  However there were many different story lines in this book, and it took me until at least the 50% mark to actually figure out who the characters were and what they were doing.  And it wasn't until the very end that all the story lines came together and were tied up in a neat little bow, thanks to Reacher.  There is still plenty of of the typical Reacher violence, but there were some scenes in this book that I thought went much too far.

I'm always hopeful that the next book in the series will bring back the Reacher we all know and love.  And in the meantime, I'm looking forward to season 3 of the Prime Video streaming series Reacher starring Alan Ritchson, tentatively scheduled for early 2025.  It is based on #7 in the series, Persuader.  

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Book Review: Woe: A Housecat's Story of Despair by Lucy Knisley

Woe: A Housecat's Story of Despair by Lucy Knisley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A delightful graphic novel for cat lovers everywhere! I absolutely love all of Lucy Knisley's graphic novels!

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Book Review: Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe by Bill Bryson

Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe by Bill Bryson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bill Bryson continues to write about his travels, this time traveling alone across Europe.  The book chapters are arranged by cities and countries, and he definitely explores the entire continent from the northernmost point in Norway to Istanbul. 

I originally listened to the audio of this book in 2002, but read it again (alternating between audio and Kindle) for this month's book club.  He narrates the book himself and has a charming accent which is a fusion between Midwestern U.S. and British.  The book was originally published in 1991, but it still stands the test of time today.  I have to admit that I frequently laughed out loud while reading this book.  Bryson is definitely the funniest and most entertaining travel writer I have encountered!

It would have helped immensely to have a map of his travels included in the book.  I kept referring to Google Maps to remind me of the European geography.  

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Book Review: The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Paris Library tells the story of the American Library in Paris during World War II.  Odile is a lover of books, has memorized the Dewey Decimal System, and is overjoyed when she gets her first job there just before the war.  Together with her colleagues they provide books during the war to their subscribers as well as the soldiers in battle.  An incredible library, along with dedicated library staff members who truly serve their readers. 

In alternating chapters there is also the story of Lily, a teenager in rural Montana during the 1980s.  She befriends an elderly neighbor who provides her with a place of refuge from Lily's challenging family life, while learning more about her neighbor's background.

I was surprised and delighted to find out that this book was based on true events and people!

Our book club had a great discussion about this book, and for once everyone was in agreement that it was a great book.  This book had many of the things I thoroughly enjoy in a story:  librarians, libraries, books, reading, historical fiction, and Paris.  

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