Book Review: 23 Hours to Midnight by James Patterson (Women's Murder Club #23)

23 Hours to Midnight by James Patterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have read all of the books in the Women's Murder Club series, and have to admit that I have been disappointed with the recent ones.  However, in my opinion this was a definite improvement.  The story lines were cohesive, each character played an important role, and most importantly it kept me on the end of my seat, turning the pages.  I finished it within 24 hours which is very unusual for me. 

Content warning and a little spoiler -- There is a lot of violent, unsettling deaths and situations in this book.  Lindsay's life is put in the direct line of fire in the conclusion, and there are hints that Lindsay wants to step back from being a detective or to retire.  She is continually thinking about her husband Joe and daughter Julie.  I wouldn't be surprised if her detective colleague, Sonia Alvarez, takes a more prominent role in upcoming books.  

I'm still not sure what the title refers to - "23 Hours to Midnight."  Anybody know??

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Book Review: Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

For the past couple of months, I kept hearing great things about this book.  It certainly was getting a lot of buzz in the book circles so I was anxious to read it.  However, after finishing it I have to say that I think it was more 'book hype' than 'book buzz.'  I wanted to love this book, but was disappointed almost immediately. 

Here's a quick overview (see any of the other reviews for MANY more details...) -- Sally is a writer for The Night Owls (think SNL).  She meets Noah, who is the guest host/musical guest for the week.  They work together writing a skit.  Sparks fly.  Nothing happens.

The book is divided into three sections:  the first section is 130 pages and goes into WAY too much detail about the SNL-like happenings.  TOO much inside baseball for me!  To be honest, I was ready to ditch it after the first 50 pages.  Fast forward two years and the next section is an epistolary form with emails between the two of them during the beginning of the pandemic.  Section three is a couple of weeks later when she visits him in LA.

The book redeemed itself for me in sections two and three.  I'm glad I finished it but it was still a disappointment.  I didn't like the over emphasis on COVID (aren't we all trying to forget it and get back to normal life?).  The story line was not interesting.  There didn't seem to be much character development.  And the dialog was flat.  Overall, I cannot recommend it.

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Book Review: The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful historical fiction book which covers the life of Addie Baum as told to her granddaughter in 1985.  Addie was born in 1900 and lived in Boston with her Jewish immigrant parents and two older sisters.  It is a character-driven story of Addie wanting to explore the world, go to school and college, and make a life for herself outside of the small apartment and neighborhood she grew up in.   Although it deals with some very serious subjects, they are dealt with compassion and understanding.  I'm looking forward to discussing this book next week at book club.  

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Book Review: While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams (Avery Keene #1)

While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a roller coaster of a ride!  This book captured my attention immediately and it was difficult to put down.  Avery Keene is a Supreme Court law clerk who is surprisingly appointed as legal guardian for the judge she works for when he falls into a coma.  She teams up with the judge's estranged son, the judge's lawyer, and her physician resident roommate to investigate and solve the multi-layered mystery.  This book involves international intrigue, government corruption, puzzles, chess, and so much more.  It is a very intelligent, edge-of-your-seat thriller.  I have no idea when Stacey Abrams has time to write novels, but am so glad that she does!!

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Book Review: 111 Places in Chicago That You Must Not Miss by Amy Bizzarri

111 Places in Chicago That You Must Not Miss Revised & Updated by Amy Bizzarri
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely LOVE this series of travel books.  Each entry in the book is basically two pages:  one with the text and the other with a very nice photograph.  There is a lot of focus on history and off-beat locations.  Travel directions, websites and tourist information is always included.  What was really helpful to me are the maps at the back showing where all 111 places are located!

I first came across this series in the New York Public Library bookstore - 111 Places in New York That You Must Not Miss -- and it followed me home.  I checked this one out of our local public library right before our trip to Chicago.  My big mistake was not getting it sooner - like a month before the trip so I would have a chance to delve into all the wonderful Chicago locales that I Should Not Have Missed!  Even so, I enjoyed reading more of it after our whirlwind 3-day Chicago tour over Memorial Day.  Look for other books in this series; I was surprised by how many have been published!  Check out https://www.111places.com.

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Book Review: The Maid by Nita Prose

The Maid by Nita Prose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Molly Gray is a maid  at a swanky hotel in England.  She is neuro-atypical, which is perfect for her job because she loves to clean, and to follow rules and set procedures.  Up until recently, she lived with her grandmother who helped her navigate through the complex world of social skills, what people say, and what the mean.  However, her grandmother recently passed away and Molly is still grieving.  She finds a dead body in one the rooms and is soon charged with murder.  With the help of some new-found friends, she helps solve the murder and clear herself of the charges.  This book covers a lot of topics, but the charm is Molly herself.  I was really pulling for her throughout the entire book.  

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Book Review: Sunny's Kitchen: Easy Food For Real Life by Sunny Anderson

Sunny's Kitchen: Easy Food For Real Life by Sunny Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Anyone who watches The Kitchen on Food Network knows Sunny Anderson.  She's as bright as her name, and brings her humor and cooking skills to the show every week.  I finally got a chance to read her cookbook, which was published 10 years ago.  This book is a tribute to her family, her military service, and all the places she has lived throughout her life (the official list is included in the back of the book!).  Interspersed are photos of Sunny at various ages.  I definitely want to try the majority of her recipes, and the color photos definitely do them justice.

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Book Review: Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach

Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book that I have read by author Mary Roach.  I have to say that when she sets out of research a book, she throws herself into it!  I don't read a lot of non-fiction books, but her style of narrative non-fiction is incredibly captivating.  Plus she's got a real sense of humor which frequently comes through, making serious subjects much more light-hearted.  Even her footnotes are a lot of fun -- don't skip them!  Our book club discussion was very interesting.

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Book Review: The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan

The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A delightful historical novel which details the lives of four women in rural England during World War II. They are in the midst of food rationing, trying their best to make tasty food for their families with the limited resources they are allowed. The four women enter a contest on BBC radio to see who can create the tastiest appetizer, main dish and dessert. The winner will be the next presenter on the Kitchen Front radio show. The book encompasses laughter, heartbreak, love, disappointment, personal struggles, friendship, and every emotion in between. Recipes are also included after each chapter, and the author has done extensive research to make the story and recipes historically accurate. All-in-all, a feel-good novel. 

UPDATE: I just finished reading this book for the second time for one of my book clubs. I typically don't re-read a book for book club if I've read it before. I was planning on just lightly skimming it to re-familiarize myself with the plot and the characters. But once again, the story drew me in right away and I ended up reading it cover-to-cover. I think I enjoyed it even more the second time around! I loved how the four women ended up overcoming personal differences and working together; they were even more as a team than each of them were individually. I highly recommend this book! 

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Book Review: Happy Place by Emily Henry

Happy Place by Emily Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

(3 1/2 stars) - I read this book several weeks ago, and purposely held off writing the review in order to have my feelings about it 'simmer.'  I'm definitely an Emily Henry fan and have read three of her books in the past couple of months (People we meet on vacation, Beach read, and Book lovers).  I was really looking forward to her latest book, but was a little disappointed.

The premise is very compelling - Harriet and Wyn have been together for ten years and are engaged.  Every year they meet two other couples and spend a week in a beach house mansion in Maine.  These are long-term friends who met in college and have an incredible closeness.  However, Harriet has not told them that she and Wyn have broken up. 

Once again there is a non-linear timeline, with chapters alternating between the past ("Real Life" back story) and present ("Happy Place").  And Emily Henry is a master of writing excellent dialog.  This was a very emotional read for me, and the book is full of grief, trauma and missed opportunities.   I was hoping for something a little lighter and more uplifting for this summer read.

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Book Review: The Searcher by Tana French

The Searcher by Tana French
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of Tana French's two stand-alone books.  I read all six of her Dublin Murder Squad books and thoroughly enjoyed them.  This book is very different in pace, tone, character, and plot from that series.  Cal Hooper is a retired Chicago police officer who wants to get a fresh start -- he is recently divorced and his adult daughter lives in Seattle.  He buys a run-down cottage and moves to a very small village on the western coast of Ireland.  A local 12-year old whose brother has gone missing befriends Cal and asks for his assistance in finding out what happened to him.  The plot and characters build very slowly but before I knew it I was invested in Cal and the village life.  The writing is exactly what I would expect of Tana French -- very descriptive with a strong sense of place. 

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Book Review: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow - this book was incredible and I'm still thinking about it several days after finishing it.  Definitely five stars!!  Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in a man's world in the 1950s and 1960s.  After being fired for being pregnant without being married, she stumbles upon a job hosting a cooking show on the local TV channel.  The show becomes wildly successful due to the way she approach cooking (like a chemistry experiment) and the support that she gives her audience of housewives.  She has a very precocious 4-year daughter and a dog named Six-Thirty (the time he followed her home from the market).  In my opinion, if you take Dr. Temperance Brennan from the Bones TV show, make her a chemist in the 1960s, and throw in Wes Anderson along with some quirky characters, and you've got Lessons in Chemistry.  This is the author's debut novel, and I didn't want it to end.  Looking forward to more from Bonnie Garmus in the future.  

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance reader copy of this book!!

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Book Review: Gratitude by Oliver Sacks

Gratitude by Oliver Sacks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a very quick read - just four short essays written towards the very end of his life.  However, it gave me a lot to think about.  The essays talk about aging, terminal illness, facing death, and embracing life.  Overall, very inspirational.  It was recommended in Julianna Margulies' memoir, Sunshine Girl, as an inspiration for her to practice gratitude. 

“My predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved. I have been given much and I have given something in return. Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure.”
—Oliver Sacks

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Book Review: Sunshine Girl: An Unexpected Life by Julianna Margulies

Sunshine Girl: An Unexpected Life by Julianna Margulies
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Julianna Margulies had a very unstable childhood due to her parents' divorce when she was quite young.  She and her older sister had to become self-sufficient very early in life.  Her mother was quite a free spirit, whereas her father was more traditional and conventional.  The family lived in England while her father was still in the U.S., making it difficult to shuttle back and forth.  She always wanted to spend more time with her father and get to know him better.  She was very driven, always striving to do well in school, and starting to take jobs when she was just 14.  This helped to develop her incredible work ethic.  I'm a real fan of her work on both ER and The Good Wife.  I was anxious to read more backstory about her work on these two shows, but there were just two chapters devoted to this part of her life.  Overall, this was a very interesting story about her life. 

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Book Review: The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Trisha McFarland is a nine year old girl who goes for a day hike on the Appalachian Trail with her mother and older brother.  Early on, she gets separated from them and spends days alone in the woods trying to find them, trying to find a trail, and trying to find civilization.  Trisha is an incredibly intelligent, self-reliant, and resourceful girl which is why she is able to survive for so long.  She has a Walkman and listens to Red Sox baseball games when she gets tired or sacred.  She idolizes Tom Gordon, their relief pitcher, and has imaginary conversations with him in the woods, making her feel safe.  It is her conversations with the pitcher that gives her hope and keeps her going.  This book was a real page-turner, but I literally had to set it aside each day about 5:00; I'm a big scaredy cat when it comes to reading thrillers, and this genre has the tendency to keep me awake at night.  

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Book Review: Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives by Gretchen Rubin

Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives by Gretchen Rubin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm a big fan of Gretchen Rubin -- both her podcast and her books.  I re-read this book (yet again) starting on January 1st of 2023...to become better than before...again.  It's packed full with ideas, suggestions, examples and motivations on how to change your personal habits.  As an Obliger (one of her four tendencies described in the book), I'm all about fulfilling obligations to others.  I gained a lot of great information on this second reading, and it reminded me of many things that I have read previously but forgotten.  All in all, a good start-of-the-year exercise in self-improvement.  More to follow.

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Book Review: Transfer of Power by Vince Flynn (Mitch Rapp #3)

Transfer of Power by Vince Flynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another page-turning political thriller in the Mitch Rapp series of books.  A group of terrorists have accessed the interior of the White House, murdered many of those working there, and taken the rest as hostages.  The President, along some of his staff and secret service personnel made it safely to his White House bunker in the nick of time.  Mitch is state-side and is immediately summoned by the Joint Chief of Staff, along with the head of the CIA to stealthily infiltrate the White House.  I didn't want to put it down; the suspense kept me going until the end.  My only quibble with the book is a minor one -- the main character is Mitch; his side-kick in the White House is Milt; and there is also a Mick and Mike among the minor characters.  

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Book Review: My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Julia Whelan writes fantastic dialogue, plus creates an incredible sense of place (Oxford).  Ella Durran arrives in Oxford to spend a year as a Rhodes scholar studying English Literature from 1830-1914.  We immediately fall in love with her as she struggles with her luggage, tries to find her room, and locate something to eat - all while being very jet-lagged.  She immediately makes several friends who provide comedic fodder and support throughout the book.  She starts dating one of her professors who is extremely charming and good looking - a "friends with benefits" only situation.  Their relationship is going swimmingly until they encounter a serious challenge.  Together they work to overcome it but Ella has to decide whether she stays in England or returns to the States at the end of her Oxford year.  Julia Whelan may be best known for her audio narrations, and I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to listen to her narration of her own book.

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Book Review: The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow -- an incredible debut novel!  It has everything I love:  classical music, mystery, intrigue, family drama, edge-of-your-seat-what-will-happen-next page turning excitement!  It starts out with Ray McMillan preparing for an upcoming violin competition when his extremely valuable Stradivarius violin is stolen.  The story immediately goes back several years to focus on Ray's his family life, his early love of the violin, his musical talent, and his journey approaching the iconic Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.  We also learn how a Black boy from a poor family in North Carolina acquires a Stradivarius, along with all of the many setbacks and challenges  he encounters along the way.  Luckily he meets a college music professor when he is auditioning for a regional orchestra who immediately offers him a full scholarship and becomes his mentor, guiding him throughout his early career.  Be sure to listen to one of the Spotify playlists which have been created to accompany this book with tracks of all the music Ray plays during his performances.  Highly recommended!  I'm looking forward to the author's second book, "Symphony of Secrets" which is due to be published this month (April 2023).  

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Review: North of Normal: A Memoir of My Wilderness Childhood, My Unusual Family, and How I Survived Both

North of Normal: A Memoir of My Wilderness Childhood, My Unusual Family, and How I Survived Both by Cea Sunrise Person
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another very difficult book to read. To be honest, I would not have read it past page 20 except that this is our next book club selection. Cea's memoir starts out when she is 2 1/2 years old. She lived with her extended family in California and Canadian wilderness. There was no running water, electricity or heat in the tipi, and no regular income for the family. Her mother had a series of different boyfriends, and Cea saw everything going on in the family -- drug use/abuse/addiction, mental illness, nudity, neglect, child sexual assault, and emotional/psychological abuse. Somehow she escaped from this downward spiral and made a modeling career for herself. Overall, it was a shocking and somewhat depressing memoir, but I'm glad that she was able to pull herself out of her family's grips and find happiness and success in her life. 

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Book Review: The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An incredibly compelling book, even though I'm not a chess play and know very little about the game.  I just finished watching the Netflix series and turned to the book.  I have to admit that the series and the book are the most closely alike than any other book and movie I've read and viewed.  We follow Beth Harmon from age 8 when her mother dies and she is placed in an orphanage.  The janitor in the basement teaches her how to play chess, and she quickly becomes obsessed, reading everything she can about the game.  Her eidetic memory along with her skills in math soon propel her to master the game and become a child prodigy, competing against all members of the local high school chess team simultaneously...and winning!  We follow her to the local, regional and national competitions, then to Paris and Moscow to play against the elite players.  I was at the edge of my seat reading this book, and would highly recommend it.  Content warnings:  alcoholism, prescription drug addiction, suicide.  

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Book Review: Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don't think that it's a spoiler to say that 12-year old Edward is the sole survivor of a plane traveling from Newark to Los Angeles with his family.  The story follows Edward from the crash in June 2013 until June 2019 when he is 18 years old.  The story gently unfolds with the author carefully bringing the reader into Edward's life and recovery (both physically and emotionally).  Edward forms a quick and lasting friendship with the girl next door who helps him through his trauma.  In return, he realizes that he has helped her throughout the years as well.  They are like "two lost souls together," as one of my book club members so aptly put it.  We meet other people in Edward's life who are helping him through:  his aunt and uncle, his principal and teachers, his therapist.  The format of the book alternates chapters between what is happening during the flight, and how Edward is handling 'life' after the crash.  Although there is a lot of grief and sadness in the story, overall it is a very poignant and hopeful book.

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Book Review: NetGalley's Book Advocate Toolkit

NetGalley's Book Advocate Toolkit by We Are Bookish
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fantastic, very practical advice for readers using NetGalley for advanced reader copies.  Everything you need to know, regardless of where you review the books (Facebook, Instagram, Blogs, YouTube, TicTok, etc.).  Helpful hints on: how to create your profile, how to request books, what to include in your review, and much more!  I would highly recommend this for anyone who is getting started with NetGalley.

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Book Review: Water Like a Stone by Deborah Crombie (Duncan Kincaid / Gemma James #11)

Water Like a Stone by Deborah Crombie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

#11 in the Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James series.  They have loaded the family (two children and two dogs) into the car and are heading to the English countryside to spend the Christmas week with Duncan's parents.  Two separate murders interrupt their restful holiday celebration, and they both join the hunt to solve the cases.  I was enthralled to learn about the narrow boats which populate the canals throughout England, serving a houseboats for entire families.  I definitely felt a 'sense of place' of small town country English - delightful!  It was also nice to get the back story of Duncan's parents, sister, niece and nephew.  Deborah Crombie is an excellent storyteller!

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Book Review: The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie (Miss Marple)

The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Miss Marple is at it again, solving crimes in the English countryside.  This time the dead body shows up in the library of a neighboring estate.  Who is the girl?  How did she get there?  Who murdered her?  Miss Marple gets to the bottom of the crimes (2!) in short order.  I love the British setting and sense of place and entitlement.  Who wouldn't want to live during this era?  I have read quite a few of Agatha Christie's books, but have yet to solve one of them before the answer is divulged.  That won't keep me from trying in the future though.

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Book Review: Sundays with Sophie: Flay Family Recipes for Any Day of the Week: A Bobby Flay Cookbook

Sundays with Sophie: Flay Family Recipes for Any Day of the Week: A Bobby Flay Cookbook by Bobby Flay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If anyone has watched Food Network, they realize that Bobby Flay and his daughter Sophie share an intense love of food -- cooking, eating, dining at restaurants, shopping at markets, etc.  This book is an extension of that shared love.  These recipes are more designed for the home cook than many of his previous cookbooks.  Don't shy away from the recipes because of the number of ingredients.  He makes the instructions very approachable.  Plus they provide a 'deep dive' into several favorite dishes, showing the key steps in making them -- Scrambled Eggs, Paella, Spatchcock Chicken, Piccatta Anything, etc.  Lots of beautiful color photos too.

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Book Review: Dead Lions by Mick Herron (Slough House #2)

Dead Lions by Mick Herron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book #2 in the Slough House / Slow Horses series.  Jackson Lamb and his team of the Slow Horses is pulled into solving the murder of one of their own.  The book is fast paced, and moves from team to team, following them during the 24 hours of the novel.  Pay attention, reader -- there are lots twists and turns in the plot, plus many characters to keep track of.  And of course the dark humor which runs throughout the book.  It helped that I was reading the Kindle version so I could look up the many British slang terms that were used.  Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.  

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Book Review: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a very difficult book to read.  And I'm sure that Matthew Perry found that it was a very difficult book to write as well.  The thought that kept running through my mind was "How can he still be alive?!?"  He candidly talks about his repeated stays at rehab facilities, detoxing, his alcoholism, his dependence upon pain killers and prescriptions drugs, health problems, surgeries, his repeated recoveries, and more stays in rehab.  The book is not told in linear fashion; he jumps around in time and events, and I kept getting confused.  To be honest, it's almost like he started talking and recording the story of his life in a stream-of-consciousness fashion, and no one bothered to edit it during the transcription to print.  I have to give him credit for pulling through all his hardships, and wish him the best in the future hoping that he will ultimately find what he is searching for in life.  

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Book Review: Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear (Maisie Dobbs #2)

Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book #2 in the Maisie Dobbs series.  Maisie Dobbs is a no-nonsense, hard-working psychologist and private investigator in London during the 1930's.  She and her assistant are tasked with finding a missing heiress, but during the investigation she stumbles upon several other related murders.  I would classify this book as a 'cozy', and everything turns out fine in the end.  There's even a little romance thrown in and some growth in Maisie's character.  Looking forward to the next book in the series. 

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Book Review: All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriott

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first in the James Herriot series of books.  An absolutely charming story about a large animal veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales during the 1930's.  This is Dr. Herriot's first job after veterinary college, and he pairs up with an established vet.  They live together with a housekeeper and are on-call 24/7.  Each chapter is a vignette in his daily life, ranging from the smallest dog or cat up to horses and cattle.  His writing pulls you in so you feel that you are driving through the hills of York with him.  I was glad to read this book on my Kindle to assist me with both the veterinary terms and the British colloquialisms.  Highly recommended, especially if you have enjoyed the TV series.  I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series while enjoying a cuppa tea!

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Book Review: Experiencing Olmstead: The Enduring Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted's North American Landscapes by The Cultural Landscape Foundation

Experiencing Olmstead: The Enduring Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted's North American Landscapes The Cultural Landscape Foundation by The Cultural Landscape Foundation
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An absolutely lusciously photographed coffee table book.  This hefty tome is arranged by state, and covers just a small fraction of the Olmsted projects throughout the United States and Canada.  It shows original Olmsted blueprints and plans, along with early and current photographs.  Each project is given a brief description, the historical context, and the present day scenario.  It's amazing to see that Olmsted was involved in so many different projects -- parks, landscapes, planned communities, individual private gardens, colleges/universities, and parkway drives.  The extent of his impact on landscape gardening is immense and unparalleled!  Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an advance reader copy.  That was enough to spark me actually obtaining the book after it was published. 

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Book Review: Triple Cross (Alex Cross series) by James Patterson (Alex Cross #30)

Triple Cross by James Patterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is #30 in James Patterson's Alex Cross series, and once again he provides the reader with non-stop, page-turning action.  Let's suspend our disbelief as the primary case (the Family Man serial killer) intersects with Brie's investigation into the fashion industry in NYC.  You know that with Alex Cross, John Sampson, and Brie Stone on the job, they will get the bad guys in the end.  But of course it's a roller coaster ride until the last page.  We also get updates on the Cross family - Nana Mama, Jannie and Ali.  I have to admit that I have abandoned many of my favorite long-running mystery series because the writing and the characters just got stale, in my opinion.  That is definitely not the case with the Alex Cross series, and I'll look forward to the next book under my Christmas tree in December!

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Book Review: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very compelling book, based on a true story of a young man who met his true love in the concentration camps of World War II. Lale is assigned to be a tattooist because of his knowledge of so many languages. They end up spending more than two years there but finally are able to escape and find each other. It's a difficult book to read but I wanted to be aware of the horrors that the individuals experienced and their massive loss of families and friends.

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Book Review: A Guidebook to Newport Mansions of the Preservation Society of Newport County

A Guidebook to Newport Mansions of the Preservation Society of Newport County by Preservation Society of Newport County
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was a lovely book and brought back memories of the houses I visited.  It contained a lot of historical information, background about the people who lived there, and info about the architectural styles.  However, I would have enjoyed more photos.

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Book Review: Kid Gloves: Nine Months of Careful Chaos by Lucy Knisley

Kid Gloves: Nine Months of Careful Chaos by Lucy Knisley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another wonderful book by the talented artist Lucy Knisley. This one chronicles the ups and downs of her pregnancy and delivery. It is so much more than a comic book, discussing serious subjects such as contraception, miscarriages, pregnancy complications, labor complications, and more. We follow along with her ups and downs as she honestly portrays what it was really like for her. Parts of this book are difficult to read, and it's not a memoir for all pregnant women, but instead a peak into reality through Lucy's drawings, humor and point of view.

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Book Review: Go to Sleep (I Miss You): Cartoons from the Fog of New Parenthood by Lucy Knisley

Go to Sleep (I Miss You): Cartoons from the Fog of New Parenthood by Lucy Knisley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read much of what Lucy Knisley has written/drawn and absolutely love all of her books. This is a endearing book about being a new mother. Each page (or two) is a snapshot of her life with her husband and infant son. Wow, does this bring back memories. My sons are 31 and 25 years old, but reading this book makes it all seem like yesterday. I recommend this book for parents with children of all ages. Guaranteed to make you laugh and tear up.

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Book Review: The Cloisters by Katy Hays

The Cloisters by Katy Hays
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow!  I'm still thinking about this book a month after I've finished it.  Anne moves across the country to become a summer intern at the Met.  Due to a last-minute snafu, that position is not available but instead she works at The Cloisters, a branch of the Met near Harlem which deals with medieval antiquities, art and architecture.  Ann becomes fast friends with her co-worker Rachel, but how much can she trust her?  Mysterious things happen at work, and the dark side of academia is uncovered.  This novel definitely gives you a sense of place, transporting you to a stifling hot NYC summer and the cool interiors of The Cloisters.  There's a lot in this novel that is in my wheelhouse:  art, art history, NYC, The Cloisters, museums, mysteries, friendship.  There's even a touch of magical realism and tarot cards thrown in.  This book grabs you and pulls you in, and I was turning the pages quickly to find out what happens next.  Looking forward to Katy Hays' next book!

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Book Review: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (Thursday Murder Club #1)

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Meet Elizabeth, Ron, Ibrahim and Joyce, four residents of a senior living community in Kent, England.  They meet every Thursday afternoon to discuss cold cases, but everything changes when there is a murder...and then another murder in their midst.  This is a delightful character study combined with several mysteries.  Take care reader -- there are a lot of characters and backstories in this book,  along with many twists and turns.  You may need to go back and re-read sections to clarify things after you finish the book.  I'm looking forward to the second book in this series. 

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Book Review: A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum

A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book focuses on three generations of Arab American women living in Brooklyn over the past 30 years.  The story is told by these three alternating points of view in different chapters.  The story is simultaneously compelling, yet heartbreaking and very difficult to read.  Life as an Arab American immigrant woman is not at all easy, especially in a culture which values the men of the family.  However, I loved the fact that three women in this family were able to escape their daily lives through their love of books and reading.  

"Life was nothing more than a bad joke for women.  One she didn't find funny."  Isra, Fall 1992

"Books were my armor.  Everything I'd ever learned growing up, all my thoughts, dreams, goals, experiences, it all came from the books I read.  It was like I went around collecting knowledge, plucking it from pages and storing it up, waiting for a chance to use it."  Deya, Winter 2008

"Books have always kept me company when I felt most alone." Sarah, Winter 2008

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Book Review: Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The story is alternately told from the two main characters' points of view - Olivia and Lily.  Olivia and her high school son Asher have moved to New Hampshire to leave an abusive marriage.  Lily meets Asher soon after she moves and starts in her new school, and they quickly start dating.    One of the stories goes forward in time, while the other goes backwards in time.  I usually don't like non-linear storytelling, but this one worked for me.  This book drew me in to the point that I couldn't put it down.  This book was enlightening and informative on so many different levels.  This is the second of Jodi Picoult's books that I've read, but I'll definitely be exploring her backlist in the near future.  Note:  Readers should be aware that there are plenty of story lines in this book which should come with content warnings. 

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Book Review: Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand

Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The 4th and final installment in Elin Hilderbrand's Winter Street series.  Once again we follow the Quinn family, but this book differs from the other three in the series.  Rather than just spotlighting the Christmas season, we see the various family members throughout the year.  There are ups and downs, laughter and sorrow, but as we have come to expect, the family saga ends on a hopeful note.  It's always great to read a Christmas book in December and I was pleasantly surprised to discover this series.  I finished all four books during this holiday season, and would highly recommend them. 

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