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 by Kiley Reid (Advance Reader Copy)

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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Book Review: The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Immerse yourself in the world of maps and cartographers; phantom settlements and copyright traps.

The story takes place in two time frames. Present day Nell was unceremoniously fired from the New York Public Library Map Room seven years ago due to her discovery of an old New York state highway map in the basement of the library. It was her father who had her fired, an esteemed cartographer and scholar. The second story line involves an influential clique of seven students at the University of Wisconsin 30 years ago. The students band together during their undergraduate work in cartographer and remain close friends during their PhDs, also in cartography at Wisconsin. Two of those clique members are Nell's mother and father.

The story jumps back and forth between present day and 30 years ago. We learn the backstory of the highway map and why it caused such an uproar to Nell's father. We also learn an incredible amount about cartography and map-making. The book is told from various points of view -- Nell in present day and each of the seven students 30 years ago. Because of this, it was difficult to keep all of the characters and events straight in my mind at times.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It contained many of my wheelhouses: books, libraries, scholarship, mystery, plus the New York Public Library! There's even some magical realism thrown in. Jump in and enjoy the ride. You'll need to suspend your disbelief, but I think you'll enjoy this book.

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Book Review: Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand

Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another compelling book by Elin Hilderbrand. I downloaded this book right before leaving for vacation. I knew I needed a book that would pull me in immediately (on the plane) and allow me to read in small spurts over the course of six days (before bed each night). This book definitely fit the bill, as I knew it would.

Vivi (Vivian) Howe is a best-selling author living on Nantucket; she is divorced and has three adult children. I don't think that it is a spoiler to say that she is killed in a hit-and-run accident while out running one morning (this happens in the second chapter). She goes to The Beyond and is given the ability to watch what is happening with her family, both in current time and in previous years (a '75-day viewing window'). She is also allowed three 'nudges' to change the outcome three times.

Each chapter is told from a different point-of-view of the various characters. We get to know her children, ex-husband, friend, relatives and various Nantucket residents. We find out about their hopes, lives, challenges, and relationships with Vivi. We also learn about Vivi's backstory and her high school boyfriend, who figures prominently in her upcoming book which is about to be published. I have never visited Nantucket, but it certainly sounds like a fantastic place to visit (or live!).

All in all, a wonderful family saga. Highly recommended.

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Book Review: Julia's Kitchen Wisdom: Essential Techniques and Recipes from a Lifetime of Cooking by Julia Child

Julia's Kitchen Wisdom: Essential Techniques and Recipes from a Lifetime of Cooking by Julia Child
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wanted to read this book after I went to the Julia Child exhibit at my local museum; this is one of the books that was recommended.  I downloaded the Kindle version from my library, which is the only format that they had.  This is a wonderful book to have as a reference in your kitchen.  However, you would definitely want to have it in print instead of electronic.  It's a short book (144 pages) but packed FULL of everything you need to know about cooking almost anything and everything -- techniques, oven temperatures, length of cooking time, etc.  It's not really for the beginning cook because it doesn't give much detail, but I would highly recommend it for someone who has been cooking for awhile and just wants quick reminders about techniques.  I'm definitely going to look for it the next time I'm in a bookstore.

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Book Review: Happy Bonsai: Choose It, Shape It, Love It by Michael Tran

Happy Bonsai: Choose It, Shape It, Love It by Michael Tran
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an incredible book, packed full of everything you need to know about growing bonsai.  It's published by DK so you know it's going to be well laid out and have wonderful photos and illustrations.  I checked this book out of the library right after I went to a Bonsai show.  I was so impressed with the plants and wanted to know more about the 'care and feeding' involved.  After reading the book, I realize that there is no way that I will ever be able to care for a bonsai plant.  In fact the one that I bought at my local nursery lasted only about 3 months before it started looking so sad and dry.  I will stick to appreciating bonsai at the local botanical gardens instead.  But I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to try their hand at raising bonsai.

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Book Review: The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done by Kendra Adachi

The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done by Kendra Adachi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kendra Adachi is a very busy woman - married, three young children and working.  She was overwhelmed with what she felt she should be doing and wasn't accomplishing much at all.  She developed the Lazy Genius Way, which is exactly what the sub-title indicates -- "Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done." 

The Lazy Genius Way is based on 13 Principles which include:  decide what matters, decide once, start small, put everything in its place, and schedule rest.  This system works for each individual person because you decide what matters to you and then focus on those priorities.  Her writing is very humorous, conversational and supportive, like your best friend is talking to you.  She incorporates a lot of personal examples to help give you ideas.  She also has a podcast, which I'm going to check out -- https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/lazy.    

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Book Review: The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose (#2 - Molly the Maid Series) (Advance Reader Copy)

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Molly Gray is back solving mysteries in the second book of the Molly the Maid series by Nita Prose.  Molly has been promoted to Head Maid, and unfortunately there's been another murder in the Regency Grand Hotel.  Once again, her attention to detail helps her get to the bottom of the (cozy) murder of a famous mystery writer who is about to make a big announcement to a gathering of his super fans.  Many of the characters from the first book make a reappearance, plus we find out quite a lot of Molly's back story in alternating chapters entitled "Before."  This book is a lot of fun, and I would recommend that you read this series in order.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.  The book is due to be published November 28, 2023.  

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Book Review: Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #6)

Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache has suffered a great tragedy and loss in the line of duty, and has gone with his wife to Quebec City to stay with his former mentor.  It's the middle of winter and frigidly cold in Quebec; we are immediately transported there through the beautiful prose and feel the constant chill along with Gamache. 

There are three story lines in this book.  The current mystery involves the death of a Champlain historian at the Literary & Historical Society.  Another involves Gamache's doubts about a previous case; he sends Jean Guy Beauvoir back to Three Pines to investigate further (The Brutal Telling, #5).  And the third is the slow unfolding of the last case they were involved in which left them both scarred physically and emotionally.  The three story lines weave together seamlessly and the reader is immersed once again in Louise Penny's characters and locales.  

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Book Review: Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb

Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another page-turner by Brendan Slocumb - 5 stars!!  This book has alternating time frames and characters, with their stories told in alternating chapters all the while building suspense. 

Frederick Delaney is a hugely successful American composer who came to prominence in the 1920s NYC, but whose final symphony was considered an utter failure leading to his suicide.  Bern Hendricks is an African American professor of music at the University of Virginia, who has spent his career studied Delaney and his compositions.  In addition, the philanthropic Delaney Foundation helped provide him with his French horn and musical support during his school years.  

The Delaney Foundation has discovered an additional unpublished piece of his music and summons Bern to New York to help authenticate it and prepare it for performance.  He contacts his friend Eboni Washington, an expert in cybersecurity, when he starts uncovering suspicious information about who actually wrote Delaney's compositions.  

The story brings in many different themes:  race and minorities, inequality, copyright and ownership, musical composition and performance, and much more.  Brendan Slocumb is an incredible writer and I'm anxiously looking forward to his next novel!

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Book Review: One Good Deed (Archer #1) by David Baldacci

One Good Deed by David Baldacci
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the first in a new series by David Baldacci.  Aloysius Archer served in WWII, then went to prison for a crime he didn't commit.  After his release he is sent to Oklahoma where he still stay for three years, reporting to his parole officer.  A murder is committed and at once he is suspected, based on his criminal background.  The rest of the book is Archer working to clear his name and help solve multiple murders and mysteries.  He's a detective wanna-be, so I have a feeling this is the direction that the series will take in upcoming books. 

I'm giving this book 3.5 stars because Archer is an interesting character and his situation is unique.  And I definitely got a feel for what life was life in 1949.  And to be honest, Archer reminds me a lot of Reacher -- loner, homeless, coming to the aid of people in need, etc.  Even his physical description is similar to Lee Child's Reacher - 6'1" and all muscle.  

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Book Review: Normal People by Sally Rooney

Normal People by Sally Rooney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Connell and Marianne are in the same high school in Galway, Ireland but run in completely different social circles.  Connell is a football player, good looking and popular.  Marianne is aloof, friendless, and doesn't care what people think of her.  They hook up, but Connell wants to keep things a secret.  They end up both going to Trinity College in Dublin, but roles are reversed there.  Marianne has found her place in college and has developed quite a group of friends.  Connell on the other hand, has trouble making friends or connections beyond his roommate.  Thus begins four years of getting together, hooking up, miscommunication, not saying what they are thinking, separating, and repeating this again and again. 

I'm giving this book 3 stars for characters and the plot (or lack thereof).  However, I give it a strong 4 stars for the way that Sally Rooney uses language to describe their feelings:
--“Being alone with her is like opening a door away from normal life and then closing it behind him.”
--“The whole trip felt like a series of short films, screened only once, and afterwards he had a sense of what they were about but no exact memories of the plot.”
--“Marianne had the sense that her real life was happening somewhere very far away, happening without her, and she didn’t know if she would ever find out where it was and become part of it. She had that feeling in school often, but it wasn’t accompanied by any specific images of what the real life might look or feel like. All she knew was that when it started, she wouldn’t need to imagine it anymore.”

I kept wanting things to happen and for Connell and Marianne to share their feelings honestly.  However,  this never happened.  Also, the author does not use quotation to indicate conversation.  This is the first book that I've encountered like this and found it a little unsettling and difficult to get used to. 

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Book Review: The Witch Elm by Tana French

The Witch Elm by Tana French
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Toby is an easy-going young man for whom life always seems to go his way.  One night after spending the evening with his friends in the pub, his house is broken into and he is savagely beaten.  He spends quite a long time in the hospital recovering, followed by time at home where he realizes that things will definitely not ever be the same again.  He has a limp, memory problems, muscle weakness and other neurological problems.

He goes to live with his ailing favorite uncle at the family's Ivy House where he spent many summers with his cousins.  A skull is found in a large tree on the property.  Detectives arrive, find the entire body, and needless to say the spotlight is then shone on Toby as the murderer for a variety of reasons.  Toby and his cousins try to solve the mystery on their own.  From here the story weaves between past and present, truth and fiction, in a way that only Tana French can do it.  What an enjoyable ride as a reader!

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Book Review: The Bookbinder by Pip Williams (Advance Reader Copy)

The Bookbinder by Pip Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book written by Pip Williams that I've read; the first was The Dictionary of Lost Words which I read for book club last summer.  Both books are set in Oxford, England, deal with the Oxford Publishing House, and have some crossover characters.  This book (and both books, actually) is extremely charming and lovely, pulling me into the lives of these characters during World War I.  Peggy and Maude are twin sisters who have worked in the bindery of the Oxford Publishing House since they were 12 years old.  They live on a narrow boat and have followed in their mother's footsteps by working in the bindery.  Peggy longs to go to college, but family circumstances have not offered her that opportunity, especially since she has to keep an eye on Maude after her mother's death.  Her world expands when Belgian refugees arrive in Oxford and start working at the bindery.  In addition, she volunteers at the local hospital, experiencing the horrors of war first-hand. 

The book deals with words, language, books, scholarship, reading - all the things I love!  There are two librarians who figure prominently in the story, and both are heroes in their own way.   The story of the dedication of the two sisters is endearing, and the other characters in the book have very strong roles in Peggy and Maude's lives.  

I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and am very thankful for the opportunity to read this excellent historical novel.  Overall I highly recommend this book!  One of the best I've read so far this year!

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Book Review: Better off Dead by Lee Child and Andrew Child (Jack Reacher #26)

Better off Dead by Lee Child
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A small rural town.  A gang of bad guys involved in nefarious activities.  A woman in a troubling situation.  Enter Jack Reacher to save the day....

The scenario of this #26 Jack Reacher book is very similar to most of the others.  This is the second book written jointly by Lee and Andrew Child, and I have to admit that I'm not as thrilled with his recent books.  The plot was muddied, rambling, and difficult to follow at times.  It didn't have the page-turning quality that his previous books have had.  Don't get me wrong...I will continue to read the Reacher series (one already published and one to be published later this year) and hope that they improve.  

In the interim, I'm really looking forward to Reacher Season 2 starring Alan Ritchson on Prime Video.  It is based on Bad Luck and Trouble, and will be available in December 2023! 

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Book Review: The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A captivating historical fiction account of Agatha Christie and when she went missing for 11 days in 1926.  She left her husband and daughter, causing an uproar and extensive manhunt throughout England.  Marie Benedict does an excellent job of slowly giving the reader the background -- with dual timelines and dual narrators (both probably unreliable).  We are kept guessing throughout the various twists and turns in the book, with a few surprises left for the end.  We also get a peek into her life:  her overbearing mother, her rival sister, her domineering and philandering husband, her distant daughter, and her love of surfing of all things!  Apparently, no one really knows what happened to her during those missing 11 days, but the author provides a fascinating speculation about what may have happened.

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Book Review: The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very interesting book with a fascinating premise.  It contains two timelines:  1790s and present day -- both in London.  Nella is an apothecary in the 1790s who dispenses herbs and potions to women to help them with all types of diseases and conditions.  She also has a darker side as an apothecary; she surreptitiously provides poisons for women to use as revenge against men.   Twelve year old Eliza comes to Nella's shop to obtain some poison for her Mistress's husband, and ends up assisting Nella.

Caroline is on vacation in present day London - a vacation which was supposed to celebrate her 10th anniversary.  Having just found out her husband was having an affair, she left for London alone...to think about her future and where she is headed.  She finds an old apothecary jar and investigates it at the British Library.  

The dual timeline and characters keep the book jumping back and forth, always ending the chapters with cliffhangers.  There are several plot twists and turns along the way.  I really enjoyed this book in spite of the dark premise, and am looking forward to discussing with my book club this week.

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Book Review: Deus X by Stephen Mack Jones (August Snow #4) (Advance Reader Copy)

Deus X by Stephen Mack Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is Stephen Mack Jones' fourth book in the August Snow series, which are all set in Detroit.  I have seen this author at local book festivals and have been a fan ever since the first book.  I always feel like an insider picking out the metropolitan Detroit locales.  This book is quite a page-turner, focusing on mysterious circumstances within Catholic church.  Needless to say, August gets involved to right the wrongs brought upon innocent people.  We have many of the wonderful characters from the previous books, plus some new ones.  I highly recommend this book (and the other three books in the August Snow series) -- great fast-paced adventure!  I received this book as an advance reader copy from NetGalley and appreciate the opportunity to read it prior to it's November 7, 2023 publication date. 

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Book Review: All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley

All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Patrick Bringley's memoir is about the 10 years he spent as a guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.  He was in his mid-20's, fresh out of school and working at The New Yorker in NYC when his older brother developed cancer and passed away.  Wanting to do something completely different, something where he could grieve, he applies for a job as a guard at the Met.  This book focuses both on the art in the Met but also life as a museum guard.  He talks in-depth about a wide variety of pieces of art in the museum, and also focuses on his favorites.  Recommended for anyone who loves museums, art, and the feeling you get when viewing masterpieces that have survived for hundreds of years.  The appendix which gives information on all the art covered in his book, but the incredible bonus is the link from his website which the links to each piece of art with an image and background information for each!  Find it here - https://www.patrickbringley.com/art.  

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Book Review: The Lazy Genius Kitchen: Have What You Need, Use What You Have, and Enjoy It Like Never Before by Kendra Adachi

The Lazy Genius Kitchen: Have What You Need, Use What You Have, and Enjoy It Like Never Before by Kendra Adachi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kendra Adachi writes a very supportive and informative book for those individuals who are just starting out in the kitchen -- who don't like to cook, don't want to cook, don't know how to select a recipe, or don't know what to do in the kitchen.  She covers everything from kitchen equipment, how to grocery shop, how to organize your kitchen, what to make, and how everything fits into your family's priorities.  I did appreciate her 13 Lazy Genius Principles which are guidelines for really anything, not just cooking (#1 - Decide Once; #2 - Start Small, etc.).  I gave the book three stars because it didn't speak to me in this season of my life.  I've been cooking for my family for years and definitely could have used this 25-30 years ago!

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Book Review: Drowning by T.J. Newman

Drowning by T.J. Newman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An airplane crashes into the Pacific Ocean just minutes after taking off from Honolulu.  Many of the passengers escape, but a handful are trapped inside as the plane sinks in the ocean.  Thus begins the almost 300 pages of breath-holding, book gripping, hand-sweating excitement of the underwater rescue.  Lots of technical information about deep sea diving, underwater rescues and equipment, but that didn't get in the way of the riveting story.  This was quite a page-turner and I was just disappointed that I didn't have time to read it all in one day!!  This is the second novel by T.J. Newman and I think I enjoyed it even more than the first.  Both are highly recommended, but only if you have time to immerse yourself in the book to the exclusion of everything else in life.

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Book Review: The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama

The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An absolutely beautifully written story set in the late 1930's Japan, right before WWII.  Stephen is a young Chinese artist with tuberculosis who is sent to the family's vacation home in Japan to recuperate for more than a year.  There he is cared for by the housekeeper and gardener, Matsu.  This is a character-driven story which unfolds slowly.  We gradually get to know Stephen, Matsu, and Sachi, Matsu's life-long friend who has leprosy and lives in a neighboring village.  Stephen is away from his family, and the pace of life is so different from what he is used to.  We learn about the Japanese food, tea ceremony, gardens, village celebrations, traditions, and way of life.  This book immediately immersed me in a wonderful world and culture, and was a welcome escape from reality.  Very highly recommended, and probably one of the best books that I will read this year.  The book cover pictured here is SO much better than the one on the paperback copy I read.

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Book Review: Meal Prep Magic: Time-Saving Tricks for Stress-Free Cooking, A Weelicious Cookbook by Catherine McCord

Meal Prep Magic: Time-Saving Tricks for Stress-Free Cooking, A Weelicious Cookbook by Catherine McCord
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I downloaded this book from my local library and read it in Hoopla while on vacation.  It was a quick read with a lot of practical information on meal planning, food storage, kitchen organization, etc.  I think a beginning cook would benefit immensely from this book.  Lots of recipes included which have straightforward ingredients and instructions. 

Lots of pretty pictures too, but to be honest I don't have the time to arrange my pantry, refrigerator and freezer by color and put everything in matching containers!  She also advocates keeping things in glass containers in the frig, which I think is a great suggestion but I can foresee what would happen if I did this in my house.  "Clean up on Aisle 3!!"  She also plans all of her meals a month at a time.  Then every Sunday she cleans out the frig, grocery shops, preps all the ingredients, makes chicken stock, roasts vegetables, steams rice, and cooks chicken breasts.  I'm exhausted just thinking about doing all that on one day!

Lots of great suggestions, but not all of them will work for everyone.  I'm sure that we can all glean some helpful hints from this book. 

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Book Review: Jacqueline in Paris by Ann Mah

Jacqueline in Paris by Ann Mah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fascinating historical fiction account of 20-year old Jacqueline Bouvier and the year she spent in Paris in 1949 -- her junior year at Vassar.  She stays with a family in Paris, along with several other girls from Smith College.  She has broken free from the close confines of her mother and family life, and gets to explore what she wants to, unencumbered.  She immediately loves the Parisian life -- restaurants, clubs, theater, making friends, seeing the sites, a burgeoning romance, etc.  It is said that Jacqueline Bouvier felt that this year was the most impactful and influential part of her life.  The reader gleans a true sense of time and place in post-war Paris; the sparkling as well as the remnants of war.  

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Book Review: Blood, Bones, and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton

Blood, Bones, and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very compelling chef's memoir about her family life and how she developed her love of food and cooking.  Gabrielle Hamilton grew up as the youngest in a family of five children.  Her mother was French and was constantly making French dishes.  However, her parents divorced when she was relatively young and she soon found herself on her own, supporting herself through petty thievery and food service jobs.  Drug addiction, school dropout, and family alienation followed.  She has an MFA from the University of Michigan (go blue), but didn't seem to enjoy much of the two years spent in Ann Arbor other than making friends with a co-worker/mentor.  Years later, she opened up a small restaurant in the East Village in NYC, having never actually worked in a restaurant kitchen previously.

Her writing could use some editing, in her sentence structure, the length of her descriptions, and in continuity.  Towards the end she talks about trying to find a restaurant to eat at on a late Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn.  She is with her husband and two children.  In one paragraph her younger son in 3 months old, and on the next page (same afternoon), he is eight months old.  Examples like this abound throughout the book.

Her writing about her love of food and the restaurant was what really drew me in.  So 4 stars for that, but 3 stars for the story of her messy life.  I'm anxious to discuss this with my eclectic book club next week.

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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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