Book Review: How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Armande Gamache #9)

How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Christmas in Three Pines.  What a peaceful and truly wonderful setting at Christmas!  And all of our favorite Three Pines residents are front and center.  This is the 9th book in the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny, and I wanted to read it before Christmas. 

This is definitely one of her best books that I've read so far.  There's a lot of heartbreak, trauma and suspense -- ranging from the murder of an elderly woman with ties to Three Pines to the dismantling of Gamache's detective team.  Armand isn't sure who he can trust in the Surete de Quebec, which leads to new liaisons.  All of this is balanced with holiday preparations, food, friends, quiet contemplation and introspection.

Penny's writing is always a joy to read.  She has a wonderful mixture of literary descriptions, dialog, and humor.  This book references events from previous books, and I would recommend reading her books in order to fully appreciate the ongoing story lines.  

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Book Review: Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton

Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a fascinating "eco-thriller" / psychological thriller set in New Zealand which is difficult to describe. A rogue non-profit gardening group called Birnam Wood is busy planting crops on abandoned or uncultivated property. Their leader discovers a large abandoned farm and investigates it as a possible site for development. She meets an American billionaire who has plans of his own for the property. Neither of them is truly forthcoming about their goals, and their deceptions and hidden agendas propel the story forward.

I read this book for one of my book clubs. It's definitely not a book that I would have chosen, but I'm really glad that I read it. The description at the beginning of the book made it difficult for me to get into it, but once we get the back story on the main characters the story just pulled me in. The book is divided into three very large sections, similar to a 3-act play. Each section is not broken down into chapters which was a little unsettling at first, however reading the Kindle version seemed to alleviate this feeling of very LONG chapters. All in all, it was quite a page turner.

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Book Review: The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose (Molly the Maid #2.5)

The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another book in the Molly the Maid series by Nita Prose.  This is a charming novella just in time for Christmas reading.  It revolves around Molly Gray and her boyfriend Juan Manuel, who both work at the Regency Grand Hotel and are busy preparing for the holiday season and the employee Secret Santa Party.  Several events cause Molly to doubt some of the people in her life, but of course everything works out well in the end.

If you are looking for a quick read before the holidays (about 100 pages), this one is for you.  You don't need to have read either of the previous books in the series, but you'll fall in love with Molly and her world.

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Book Review: Nothing Fancy: Unfussy Food for Having People Over by Alison Roman

Nothing Fancy: Unfussy Food for Having People Over by Alison Roman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I typically rate cookbooks based on the number of recipes that I absolutely must try myself. To be honest, there are not that many recipes in this book that I'm anxious to try. However, I absolutely love Alison Roman's approach to cooking for people. You can tell this by the book's sub-title - Unfussy Food for Having People Over! And the book starts out by her saying that "This is not a book about entertaining."

The book is divided into five sections: Snack Time (NOT appetizers!), Salads, Sides, Mains, and After Dinner (dessert or after-dinner drinks). I'm very intrigued to try her recipe for Overnight Focaccia, Tonight, which only requires a few hours! She also describes the Perfect Herby Salad, which seems so simply yet complex and delicious.

Both her recipes and her writing style just seem so approachable. I would love to be invited to some of her dinner get-togethers.

"Roasting a nice chicken for people is such a good way to say, 'I love you.'"

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Book Review: What I Ate in One Year [and related thoughts] by Stanley Tucci

What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an absolutely wonderful food memoir and the title tells you everything you need to know.  It's basically Stanley Tucci's journal throughout 2023, chronicling what he cooked, what restaurant he went to, where he traveled, who he was with, and what he ate.  A fascinating individual and an enviable life!

Full disclosure, I love Stanley Tucci - both his writing and his films.  He has such an interesting life and a very dry wit which really comes through in his writing.  I read the print book, but I also have the audiobook on hold at the library and have been waiting very patiently for several months.  

Stanley, I keep waiting for my invitation to your London house for Thanksgiving dinner with your wonderful family and in-laws (Emily Blunt and John Krasinski).  I would love for you to make me one of your wonderful martinis!

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Book Review: Does This Taste Funny?: Recipes Our Family Loves by Sephen Colbert and Evie McGee Colbert

Does This Taste Funny?: Recipes Our Family Loves by Stephen Colbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An absolutely hilarious cookbook, created by Stephen Colbert and his wife, Evie. If you have seen them do their 'bit' together on his show (First Draft Greeting Cards!), you will enjoy this book even more.

They are both from Charleston, South Carolina and the majority of the recipes are traditional or updated ones from this area of the country. They have created (or adapted) some of the recipes, and the rest are favorites from their family and friends. Each of the recipes is introduced by both of them and Stephen's brand of humor consistently comes shining through. Beautiful photographs of both the food as well as Stephen and Evie are included for virtually every recipe. Highly recommended!

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Book Review: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (The Housemaid #1)

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book that I've read by Freida McFadden, and her books were recommended to me by a friend.  I have to say that I'm HOOKED!  What a chilling, unsettling page-turner.  I finished it in less than three days.  I read late into the night last night and finally put it down.  But I shouldn't have because my heart was pounding for the next two hours!  I couldn't get to sleep -- I should have just stayed up WAY too late and finished it last night!  Needless to say, I picked it up first thing this morning and read it until the wonderful end.  I needed to find out what happened to all the characters!

The plot is about Millie, a young girl who is trying to find a job after being in prison for ten years since she was 17.  She ends up working for Nina, a rich wife on Long Island with an extremely handsome husband and a 9-year-old daughter.  The story is told from two different points of view, and there are red herrings and plot twists galore along the way.  Just when you think you know what's happening and what will happen next, there's a pivot and the reader is surprised!  None of the characters are exactly who the reader things they are; the author keeps us guessing all the way through.

I am definitely planning on reading more by Freida McFadden in the very near future.  Absolutely love her writing and story lines!

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Book Review: Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir by Ina Garten

Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir by Ina Garten
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have been watching Ina on the Food Network for years and also enjoy reading her cookbooks.  Therefore, I was looking forward to reading her new memoir.  However, if you have watched any of her TV appearances or read any of the print interviews for her book tour, you already know the highlights of the book -- her challenging childhood with difficult parents, meeting Jeffrey as a teenager and marrying when she was quite young, buying the Barefoot Contessa shop in the Hampton's with no food, retail or business experience, etc. 

I really enjoyed reading about the 1972 summer that Ina and Jeffrey spent camping in France -- visiting the open air markets to buy very fresh and cheap food, tasting the French wine, visiting the boulangeries, and bistros.  And it was interesting to read about her foray into filming a TV show in her own house, along with her adamant denial to never do it again after the first 13 episodes!  However, the rest of the book seemed to be a re-hash of the same thing over and over.

Many other reviews  have mentioned how privileged both she and Jeffrey are, coming from very wealthy families, having excellent educations at well-known universities, and not having to struggle or worry about money.  This theme comes through continually throughout the book -- buying the Hampton's shop, purchasing and renovating a house, dumping all of their furniture and belongings on the curb when they moved to a new house, buying and renovating another house, hiring architects, hiring decorators, searching for the perfect Paris apartment, and various business deals.  She admits that she does a lot because she is bored in a job -- buying real estate, taking flying lessons, getting a graduate degree.  She also seems very controlling and always wanting to get her way, which became obvious in all her business dealings.  It's easy for the luck to happen when you are financially secure and have the bank balance to back it up.  

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Book Review: A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #2)

A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I re-read this book for my Mystery Book Club.  I originally read it 7 years ago, and it was amazing that I remembered virtually nothing about the story details.  It's set in the small Quebec village of Three Pines (as many of her books are) at Christmas. 

I'm reading her books in order.  Up next is #9 - How the Light Gets In.  A perfect selection for the month of December!  Another book set in Three Pines at Christmastime.

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Book Review: Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World by Henry Grabar

Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World by Henry Grabar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fascinating, extensively researched and documented non-fiction book about parking and how it impacts city development.  Henry Grabar is a writer for Slate and he presents quite a few case studies of various city's parking laws, problems, and outcomes, which include housing prices, city expansion, parking availability and pricing, traffic patterns, and the decline of downtown areas.

I read this for one of my book clubs and have to admit that this was an incredibly lively discussion!  Everyone had something to say and an anecdote to report.

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Book Review: The Waiting by Michael Connelly (Harry Bosch #25 and Renee Ballard #6)

The Waiting by Michael Connelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have read all of of the Harry Bosch books in the series, and always look forward to a new one.  This one doesn't disappoint with lots of action, but the focus is primarily on Renee Ballard as it's been for the past couple of books.  Harry is retired, but plays an important role for Renee as an undercover operative in one of her investigations.  The pleasant surprise in the book is that Harry's daughter, Maddie, joins Renee's Open Unsolved squad so we get to see her in action.

There are three story lines, each following one of Renee's cases.  We get to see more of her team, see how they work each of the closed cases, and also get to find out more of Renee's backstory.  I'm always looking forward to another Michael Connelly book and hope he doesn't ever decide to retire.

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Book Review: Hot Blooded by Lisa Jackson (New Orleans #1)

Hot Blooded by Lisa Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The setting is New Orleans during a hot summer.  A serial killer has been killing women.  Dr. Samantha Leeds is a psychiatrist / radio talk show host.  She has been receiving phone calls and mail from an unknown individual who knows way too much about her past.  Everything comes together in this atmospheric thriller. 

New Orleans police detectives Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya work together to find the killer.  It was these detectives and their work together that I really enjoyed about this book.  I will definitely be reading the next book in this series.  

I'm not sure whether it was just my Kindle version, but the formatting was very screwy throughout the entire book, especially when it came to quoted dialog.  The dialog from different speakers was all run together, making it very difficult to determine who was actually speaking.  

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Book Review: The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand (Nantucket Series #3)

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summer in Nantucket.  The setting is a glamorous ocean front mansion and the occasion is the wedding of Benji and Celeste.  Friends and family are gathered for the event, but tragedy strikes the morning of the wedding and the local police are called in to investigate.

Everyone is harboring their own dark secret and as the story unfolds, we slowly discover the secrets and how they affect the other wedding guests.  

In true Elin Hilderbrand fashion, each short chapter is devoted to a different character in the saga.  In addition, the timeline is not linear, jumping from present day to several points in the past to fill in the backstory.  However, each section is clearly identified with the character's name along with the date and time, so it's easy to keep on track.  

This was an incredible book, both a romance and a mystery.  Hilderbrand always immerses the reader in such a sense of place with all of her books.  I'm very anxious to watch the Netflix streaming version of this book!

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Book Review: The Final Twist by Jeffery Deaver (Colter Shaw / Tracker #3)

The Final Twist by Jeffery Deaver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the third book in the Colter Shaw / Tracker series, and it focuses on Colter trying to follow-up on his father's investigations and clues.  He hasn't seen his older brother Russell since his father's funeral years ago, and hasn't been able to track his whereabouts.  However, Russell steps in to save Colter early in the book and they work together to track down information on Blackbridge, the company their father was investigating. 

I really loved the interplay between the two brothers.  It's obvious that their father trained them well, and they make a very good team.  It's non-stop action, safe houses, clues, leads, interviews, escapes, and plenty of bad guys.  I also enjoyed reading their father's "rules" which are interspersed throughout the book.  I was reading the Kindle version of this book and highlighted 33 of these rules:  
--Information was the best weapon a survivalist could have;
--Never assume your conversations are private;
--Never resort to violence unless you have no alternative

It looks like there is one more book already published (Hunting Time, #4, published in 2022) and another book to be published May 6, 2025 - South of Nowhere, #5.  You know I'll be reading these two in the near future.

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Book Review: Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge (An American in Paris #1)

Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Paris...great food...wine...cooking...Julia Child...and MURDER!  What a combination!  Tabitha is a 20-something young woman from Michigan who travels to Paris to live with her grandfather and uncle.  She discovers that she lives across the street from Julia Child.  The day after attending a party at Julia's apartment, they discover that a woman has been murdered in the basement of the building.  Tabitha turns amateur detective to solve this murder along with several other mysteries in this cozy tale.

This was a charming book to read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Apparently it is the first in a series, so I'll look forward to reading more by this author.

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Book Review: Where Memories Lie by Deborah Crombie (Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James #12)

Where Memories Lie by Deborah Crombie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4 stars. This is the 12th book in the Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James series set in London. One of Gemma's friends, a Jewish refugee from Germany during the war, discovers that a valuable jewelry piece created by her father and stolen during the war has come up for auction. Gemma and Duncan work together to determine where it came from and also to solve several murders.

The story line is actually set in two different time periods - 1952 and present day. It was difficult to determine which time period I was reading especially because one character figured in both time periods. I can imagine that if I were listening to the audio book it would be even more confusing.

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Book Review: Lone Women by Victor LaValle

Lone Women by Victor LaValle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow - Reading this book was quite a roller coaster of a ride!  The year is 1915 and Adelaide Henry's parents are dead, their house and farm have burned in a fire, and she has packed all her belongings in order to move to Montana to homestead a piece of property.

This book is a little of everything -- a strong woman experiencing a challenging life in rural Montana, historical fiction, suspense, thriller, Western, fantasy, magical realism, and much more.  I don't want to go into much detail because you need to experience it for yourself.  I read this for one of my book clubs, and we really had A LOT to discuss at our meeting!  Listening to the other members really helped clarify some of the plot points and character development.  

I found it very interesting that this author is male, but was able to write the novel with the insight of a very strong female character.  I'm anxious to read more of his books after this experience!

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Book Review: Rogue Justice by Stacey Abrams (Avery Keene #2)

Rogue Justice by Stacey Abrams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Avery Keene is back again for the second in Stacey Abrams series, and it's another roller coaster of a ride.  She's in the midst of congressional hearings concerning the events from the first book in the series.  This legal thriller involves murders, conspiracies, secret government organizations, terrorism and much more.  There are a lot of characters and a lot of details to keep track of, so pay close attention.  Even if you don't pick up on all the minutia in the book, it's still quite a page-turner!

I just heard that the third book in the Avery Keene series of due to be published 5/27/2025 - Coded Justice.  https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/697037/coded-justice-by-stacey-abrams/ .  I'm looking forward to it!

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Book Review: Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman

Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Suspend your disbelief, buckle your seat belt and hold on – you are in for a page-turning thrill ride with the latest book from T.J. Newman. This book is very similar to her other two books in that it involves a plane. However, the book starts out when the pilot experiences a widow-maker heart attack and the plane crashes into a nuclear power plant in suburban Minneapolis/St. Paul. The rest of the book revolves around the situation with the damaged power plant.

Reader, please realize that there are a lot of characters, various plot lines, and quite a lot of technical information. Pay attention and it will pay off. Also, be prepared for some shocking text about the plant crash and lots of tears. Overall, an incredible page-turner and un-put-downable thriller! I'll look forward to both her next book and her previous two books as movies!

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Literary Tourism: Quebec City -- Bibliothèque Claire-Martin

We were recently vacationing in Quebec City and serendipitously discovered this library -- Bibliothèque Claire-Martin, which is located in a repurposed church.

The church, originally called Bibliothèque Saint Jean Baptiste , opened in 1849 and closed in 1978.  It was classified as an historical monument in 1976.  The City of Quebec purchased it for $1 in 1979 and transformed it into a library, which opened in 1980.  

It was formerly known as the Saint-Jean Baptiste Library, but renamed in 2017 to honor Claire Martin, a writer and Quebec City native who lived in this neighborhood. 

This is currently one of the 26 municipal libraries of the Bibliothèque de Québec.  

 

Location - 
755 Rue St-Jean. St-Jean Baptiste
418-641-6798

Website --
https://www.bibliothequedequebec.qc.ca/bibliotheques/lacitelimoilou/claire-martin/index.aspx

References --

Wikipedia contributors. Claire Martin (writer). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. July 4, 2024, 18:43 UTC. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Claire_Martin_(writer)&oldid=1232626586. Accessed October 3, 2024. 

Thomas Guignard Photography.  Bibliotheque Claire-Martin, Quebec.  Available at:  https://thomasguignard.photo/2022/06/12/bibliotheque-claire-martin-quebec/.  Accessed October 3, 2024.  

 

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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 (Advance Reader Copy)

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) (Advance Reader Copy)

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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Book Review: Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Twelve-year old Bird/Noah travels from Cambridge to New York City to find answers to why his mother left him and his father three years ago and cut off all communication.  We follow Bird on his journey as he gradually gets the answers he is seeking, along with discovering realities about the world he lives in.

This is a very unsettling dystopic book, all of which could very easily happen in our country today.  The government is very controlling and it views Asian Americans as the cause of the economic downturn, the protests and the extensive violence happening nationwide.  I absolutely love the fact that the public librarians are represented as the heroes -- passing along forbidden information,  helping Bird find the books and information that he needs, and hiding banned books.  The chapter on his first visit to his local library (at age 12!) is incredible.

A surprising thing about the book is that there are no quotation marks to indicate dialog.  However, it is fairly easy to determine who is speaking.  

I would highly recommend this incredible book, along with the other two books written by this author.  Looking forward to more by this wonderful author!

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Dearborn Area: Upcoming AAUW Used Book Sale - October 4-6, 2024

 Mark your calendars -- the AAUW Used Book Sale is approaching - October 4-6, 2024!

Book Review: True Gretch: What I've Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between by Gretchen Whitmer

True Gretch: What I've Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between by Gretchen Whitmer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A very inspirational book written by an incredible leader; Gretchen Whitmer is currently the Michigan governor.   She was brought into the national public spotlight first by Trump during the pandemic when he referred to her as "that woman from Michigan," and more recently as a possible running mate for Kamala Harris. 

This book was just published last month (July 2024) and covers most of her life, focusing on her time as governor.  She has a true sense of humor which really comes through in her writing.  It's a quick read (160 pages), but is packed with lots of personal experiences and great advice.  Highly recommended!!

I have an autographed copy of this book courtesy of Literati Bookstore in Ann Arbor.  And it's signed with her signature color -- fuschia!!  

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

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Book Review: The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache Series #8)

The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A remote monastery in northern Quebec Province is the setting for Louise Penny’s 8th novel in the Chief Inspector Gamache series. The monks at the monastery are well known for their transcendent recording of Gregorian chants.

“This was the near mythical monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups. The home of two dozen cloistered, contemplative monks. Who had built their abbey as far from civilization as they could get. Twenty-four men had stepped beyond the door. It had closed. And not another living soul had been admitted. Until today. Chief Inspector Gamache, Jean-Guy Beauvoir and Captain Charbonneau were about to be let in. Their ticket was a dead man.”

The reader is immersed in the feel of the reverent and quiet monastery, broken up by the multiple prayer services each day accompanied by the monks’ chanting. I learned quite a lot about the quiet life of a monk and Gregorian chants.

I recommend that readers enjoy this series in order from the beginning; several events occurring in the previous two books factor prominently in this entry. Once again, I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this wonderful series.  

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Book Review: How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Helen and Grant are brought together in a Los Angeles writers' room -- she is the author of a novel which is being turned into a TV show and he is a script writer.  However, a tragic event tied their lives together 13 years ago on the other side of the country.  This is a classic enemies to lovers trope, which is handled very adeptly by the author in her debut novel.  We are cheering for Helen and Grant, and wishing for their happily-ever-after.

Yulin Kuang has been getting a lot of buzz recently because she is currently writing the scripts for two of Emily Henry's book-to-movie adaptations.  She provides us with a peek inside the writers' room of a TV show -- the personalities, long hours, friendships, fun and more.  Overall, I really enjoyed this book -- Helen's career intense career goals, her romance with Grant, her relationship with her family, and the event that tied their lives together.

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

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