Book Review: Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane

Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was the first book I read by Dennis Lehane, but I was SO impressed by his writing.  It's his most recent book, written after a seven year hiatus, which deals with the Boston court-mandated school desegregation in 1974.  It is gritty, violent, and very tough to read.  This may be his last book; he is committed to screenwriting TV and movies, and this book is in the process of being developed into a series for Apple TV.  Content warnings abound - violence, language, and much, much more. 

I really got a sense of place - Boston during the heat of summer in a neighborhood which is experiencing the impending desegregation of their schools.  There are flawed characters, particularly the main character Mary Pat, whose 16-year-old daughter has gone missing the same night as a brutal murder of a black teenager whose car broke down on the wrong side of town.  This book is definitely a tough read, but very informative of a different time and place...or is it really so different from our current situation??

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Book Review: How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry

How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An absolutely charming book which includes everything I love -- books, reading, a bookshop, tea, food, classical music, several romances, the English Cotswold countryside, and much more!

Emilia Nightingale has inherited Nightingale Books, located in a small town outside Oxford, England, after her father passed away.  We slowly learn the backstory of both Emilia and her father, Julius, and how the bookstore was started.  Through little vignettes we meet many of the townspeople and discover how each of them have such a fondness for Julius and the bookshop.

It's an easy read, and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face along with a tear to your eye.  I'd recommend making a cuppa tea, curling up in a favorite chair and enjoying this lovely book.  Highly recommended, and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author!  

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Book Review: The Secret by Lee Child (Jack Reacher #28)

The Secret by Lee Child
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jack Reacher is back and assigned to the task force to determine who is killing all the members of Project 192, which was based at an India chemical plant in 1969.   He's working with individuals from the DOD, FBI, CIA and Treasury.  The year is 1992 and and Reacher is a recently demoted military policeman in the Army.

This is definitely the best Reacher book written since Andrew Child took over writing for Lee Child.  I'm giving it a strong four stars.  My only quibble is the convoluted story line told from multiple points of view for the first 30% of the book.  Reacher doesn't even figure prominently until this point.

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Book Review: The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three young women from vastly different backgrounds come together to work in the Bethnal Green Library in London during the early days of World War II.  Juliet takes the job as deputy librarian, Katie is biding her time until she goes to the university in the fall, and Sophie, a Jewish immigrant from Germany, finds refuge among the pages of the books and the supportive group of library patrons. 

However after the library is bombed and virtually destroyed, the three friends take the remaining books to the local subway station and set up an underground library for all the residents who take shelter there every night.  

This is a charming book about friendships, community support, learning to take control of your life in spite of setbacks, and the new roles that women take on during the war.  It is based on a true story during the London Blitz, and includes many historical facts and situations.  It has so many things that I like:  books, libraries, librarians!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with this advanced reader copy.

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Book Review: Fodor's Montreal & Quebec City

Fodor's Montreal & Quebec City by Fodor's Travel Guides
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent compact travel guide for Quebec City. Includes history and background information about both cities, as well as hotel and restaurant recommendations. Lovely photos and maps detailing the sites to see. 

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Book Review: The Kingdoms of Savannah by George Dawes Green

The Kingdoms of Savannah by George Dawes Green
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an absolutely fascinating and compelling family saga combined with a mystery along with a large dose of Savannah history thrown in! 

I knew virtually nothing about Savannah or its history prior to reading this book.  The author does an incredible job of placing the reader smack dab in the middle of the town.  I certainly got a feel for the heat, humidity, colorful characters, Southern charm as well as deceit, slavery backstory, and the 'haves' and 'have-nots' of Savannah society including the large homeless population.  

I appreciated the extensive content contained in the Book Discussion Guide on the publisher's website.  It contained an extensive cast of characters, a map of Savannah locations, an interview with the author, discussion questions, and even recipes for book club drink pairings!
https://celadonbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BookClubKit_KingdomsofSavannah-TP.pdf

I read this for one of my book clubs and it was a very lively discussion!

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Letter to the Editor -- This Election Will Determine the Fate of Libraries [Time Magazine]

This is an excellent article published by a school librarian in Louisiana.

https://time.com/7011430/libraries-election-stakes-amanda-jones-essay/

A couple of excerpts --

So let’s tell the truth: Librarians are community helpers who provide resources for all. And the rapid spread of misinformation and hate towards librarians on social media platforms, and by talking heads in the media, is causing chaos in our nation’s libraries. It’s also cause for a rise in anti-library legislation by extremists.

Attacking librarians and using us as political pawns is a way to pander for votes and support, and it threatens one of the last remaining public institutions where families can go for no-cost support and resources. The outcome of our November presidential election will determine whether or not these attacks on libraries and librarians continue.

It’s important to remember that these agendas are not being pushed by librarians. Librarians are simply providing books that represent everyone in the community, because community members, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, or political affiliation, deserve to see themselves represented. And yet, we are increasingly seeing a far-right faction of extremists wage a complete war on us.

Book Review: The Hunter by Tana French (Cal Hooper #2)

The Hunter by Tana French
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another gripping novel by Tana French.  Ardnakelty is a fictional western Ireland rural town set on the side of mountain.  The story continues from her previous book, The Searcher, by focusing on Cal, Trey and Lena in a very non-traditional family unit.  It would be helpful if you have read that book before reading this one.  Trey's long-absent father suddenly reappears along with a millionaire he met in London, along with a get-rich scheme to look for gold in the mountain.

As readers we become immersed in the lifestyle, the place, and the pace of Ardnakelty.  The book is a slow build and atmospheric, delving deep into each of the characters.  The author has a gift for both description and dialog in her writing.  In addition, there is quite a bit of laugh-out-loud humor, particularly in the dialog between Cal and Trey.

I was glad to have read it on my Kindle because I could look up many of the Irish terms and colloquialisms.  Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking Press for an advanced reader copy of this book.  

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