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January 20, 2023 - February 3, 2023

 

This contest period's winners were Beth V., Rosemary B. and Sue S., who each received a copy of EXILES by Jane Harper and THE SHARDS by Bret Easton Ellis.

 

Sarah
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

5
I LOVED this book! Apparently I am a sucker for a reunited young lovers story. Elliot makes me swoon and the story is so well developed with enough drama to keep me interested till the very end.

Shelley
Violet Reverie by Talbot Finch

5
Violet Reverie is an original spin on the classic Victorian tale of repressed love along with a touch of mystery. Full of emotional longing and yearning, the reader roots for Nathan to break free from what holds him back whether that is himself, his family, or societal values. I particularly enjoyed the housekeeper's speech on page 86 about freedom and happiness. She's a powerful believer in his strength and he's lucky to have her in his life. This emotional drama has a perfect feel-good ending that doesn't disappoint. I'm looking forward to reading what this first time author comes up with next.

Carol
The Girls In Navy Blue by Alix Rickoff

4
This novel deals primarily with three girls who served in the Navy during World War I. Most of the story deals with their personal lives, but it was very interesting to learn of the experiences they had as Navy personnel.

Rose
City of a Thousand Gates by Rebecca Sacks

2
This was a slog for me. I was really excited to read this book as I wanted to understand more of what it was like to live in Israel and to navigate the conflict between Jews and Palestinians. However, after the first part where there was intersection between characters, it went downhill for me. Much too much info on the sex lives that had no bearing on the story. It took forever to get through this, although it wasn't really long. I wanted to put it down multiple times, but I thought that after a promising beginning, it was going to get better. Sadly, it didn't for me. It just wasn't the book for me.

Rose
Bring Her Home by David Bell

3
When Bill Price's teen daughter, Summer, and her friend, Haley, go missing, he is hopeful when he is called to the hospital to sit with his injured daughter. After being questioned by the police, issues surrounding his relationship with his dead wife and his daughter surface. He starts to wonder if he really knows his daughter. As time passes, he begins to wonder if his daughter is the one lying in the hospital bed, or is she the one whose body was so beaten, it was difficult to identify? Bill tries to understand what brought his daughter to this fate, and what he could have done to foresee it. Is there anything he can do to prevent others having the same outcome, and do those close to him care for him, or are they hiding something?

Kimberley
Night Flight to Paris by Cara Black

4
Complicated. The life of a WWII spy was complicated. The spies were unable to trust anyone, mission steps were slowly released and always fluid. The female spies were the unsung heroes for the Allies of WWII. These women were stealth, brilliant, fearless and dedicated. In this spy novel, American spy and sharpshooter Kate Rees is training in Scotland when she is assigned to a mission to France. Double agents, miscues and the German assassins make the mission dangerous demanding every physical strength this farm girl had. It is an interesting read reminding us that women were key to the Allie’s victory .

Karan
Solito by Javier Zamora

4
A beautiful memoir told through the eyes of a nine-year-old boy. Especially timely given the current immigration situation at our southern border.

Rose
Ghost 19 by Simone St. James

4
This quick ghost story is set in 1959. Actress Ginette Cox has moved to 19 Howard Av. in small town Meritville, NY and she can’t leave the house. She is obsessed with watching her neighbors. She hears sounds coming from her house and sees various activities out in the lane that terrify her. After the police are called, they wonder if she is mad or are there really ghosts in the house? She is convinced there is a dead woman in a house across the way, and she also believes a young girl is in danger. Ginette needs to convince Det. Ian Challis that she is telling the truth. Terrifying, yet with some light moments, I was mainly on the edge of my seat. I was nervous for Gin, hoping she would get out! Quick and enjoyable!

Beverly
Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra

4
Interesting historical fiction about the film industry in the 1930s and 40s.

michele
Spare by Prince Harry

5
This book had way more detail and content on the inner workings of the monarchy than I would have ever thought. Very thought-provoking and actually, heartbreaking. Fantastic book and great writing!

Laurie
The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester

4
Another creative fictional history spy novel that kept me up nights turning pages is out by Natasha Lester. THE THREE LIVES OF ALIX ST. PIERRE is an awesome story of an orphan-turned World War II spy who turned into a fashion icon in Paris!

Teresa
Clark and Division by Naomi Hirahara

5
Sad, angry, ashamed - so many emotions in this historical fiction/mystery novel. What happened to families of Japanese descent subjected to the US WWII’s internment camps is so sad, but it also makes me angry with our nation and ashamed that it ever occurred. This is especially true in light of the way fascism, White supremacy, and anti-Asian hate have reared their ugly heads in recent times. The Ito family is subject to so much tragedy as a result of the cruelty and prejudice of people toward others who are different from themselves. It’s overwhelming, yet this is also lovely and mysterious. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Ann M
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

4
Kept me intrigued.

Teresa
Any Other Family by Eleanor Brown

4
Four families become one as the children of a too young, unprepared mother are adopted into three very different homes. These parents vow to keep the children together by creating a family with one another. Their disparities in personality and parenting style, as well as their yearning for a family themselves, leads to a wonderful story of dynamic characters who strive to become better parents and better versions of themselves.

Michelle
These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant

5
I listened to the audio of this book, and mind you, I am not a big fan of listening to fiction on audio. I prefer memoirs. But this book! It was so well written, had me hooked from the beginning, and the ending was extremely satisfying! The story was captivating. I could not stop listening and thinking about what may be going on. I cannot recommend this enough!

Sally-Jo
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

5
Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favorite authors. This one did not disappoint. The topic of the Social Services dilemma of taking care of unwanted children is heartbreaking,and the epidemic of opioid addiction is alarming. Tough topics to write about but superbly done by Ms. Kingsolver.

Mamie
Shutter by Ramona Emerson

4
Different setting - suspenseful story.

Amy
The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick

4
I selected this one for my book club to read. After some heavy recent selection, I was in the mood for something lighter with a happy ending. This book delivered both. It was engaging and the characters were interesting. Four-star read for me.

Richard N B
One L by Scott Turow

3
Subtitle: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School. Turow wrote this memoir just after his first year of law school, and it was published before he had graduated. I was very interested in the psychology of his experience. The stress – both external and self-imposed – was palpable.

Cyndi
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald

5
This book is a funny and heartwarming. The story takes takes place in a small Iowa town. The action begins when a young woman from Sweden arrives to meet her pen pal. There is a cast of quirky characters that will entertain and charm the reader. The author also shows how literature can transform the town’s inhabitants.

PJ
Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

4
Families are messy and so are relationships. Georgie has spent her life making other peoples' lives easier and never thinking about herself and her own life, that is until she loses her position as an assistant in California. She moves back home to the other side of the country to help her best friend Bel with her new house and to be there for her during her pregnancy. On her first day back in her hometown she meets Levi at a grocery store when he pays for shakes she doesn't have the money for, and unbeknownst to her he will soon be the center of her life. The relationship gets messy with the estranged relationship with his family. Georgie and Levi are so opposite each other that the relationship can't possibly work, or can it?

LisaMarie
Educated by Tara Westover

5
This book was so good I could not put it down. You just never know how people were brought up and what they carry with them. How your parents have control over you and the heartbreaking part about her family when she try’s to break away. It’s a must-read. Only wish it would have had pictures of the family to put a face to the story.

Lucy
Monogamy by Sue Miller

3
Interesting look at marriage and betrayal and friendships.

Sue
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

5
A wonderful adaptation of David Copperfield, set in the Appalachias. Kingsolver does not disappoint with her portrayal of a child born in poverty who overcomes the odds.

Eileen
The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredricks

4
Interesting story that was well researched and written but seemed to bog down in the middle.

Pam
The Net Beneath Us by Carol Dunbar

5
4.5 rounded up. Elsa has no idea how much her husband's accident will affect her ability to live off the grid with her two small children in the northern Wisconsin forest. Even with the help of her disapproving in-laws, winter is coming and her ability to find food, cut wood for fuel, and survive in the unfinished house built into the side of a hill is a terrifying long shot. Carol Dunbar has written a beautiful and affecting novel of love and loss, family and forgiveness, determination and hope. THE NET BENEATH US is an amazing debut about courage, parenthood and connection to nature.

Pam
The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks

5
This beautifully-narrated audiobook about the Lindbergh baby kidnapping from the perspective of the nanny was extraordinary: deeply character-driven, emotionally powerful, and beautifully written. It was also fascinating and absolutely riveting. I can't wait for another historical fiction by Mariah Fredericks.

Donna
A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice by Rebecca Connolly

4
This is the story of the ship and crew of Carpathian that came to the rescue of the Titanic. They were able to save 750 from lifeboats with icebergs all around. This is historical fiction but most of the characters were the actual people on board. Very interesting.

Pam
Network Effect by Martha Wells

4
Love this sci-fi series about a rogue 'bot who is befriended by humans, much to its horror. The result is a tech-centric, humanized story about how the bot defends its humans from various nefarious threats.

Susan
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

5
It is the start of the pandemic and the main character is set to embark on a once in a lifetime trip to the Galapagos. Her fiance, a doctor, tells her he must stay in NYC to help but encourages her to take the trip - and she arrives as others are scrambling to leave the island. Once there, she finds new life and love interest UNTIL she wakes up...

Dianne
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

4
Cozy mystery set in a continuing care facility in England. A lively group of residents meet every Thursday and work to solve old unsolved crimes. Until murder happens not once but twice. Who will solve the mystery first, the murder club or the police?

Jeanne
Desert Star by Michael Connelly

5
DESERT STAR by Michael Connelly is a gripping novel as Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch novel are back at it as they begins as they return to the LAPD in the new Open-Unsolved Unit. The two are zeroed in on finding two dangerous killers. At the top of their list is the killer who raped and murdered a sixteen-year old girl. When they discover another unsolved murder with similarities, they attempt to catch a serial killer who has been on the loose in their city for years. Harry has been consumed for years to find the killer who brutally murdered a family of four. This is well written with excellent dialogue and outstanding character development. It is full of drama, twists and turns at every angle, and the suspense is mind blowing.

Jeanne
The Lipstick Bureau by Michelle Gable

5
THE LIPSTICK BUREAU by Michelle Gable is a novel inspired by true World War II events and is centered around one woman’s role as a female spy. I thought this novel is well written with outstanding dialogue, and the author’s character development was excellent. It is a gripping and riveting story that is both intriguing and fascinating and will keep readers on the edge of their seat. It has all the elements of a great historical fiction novel, including drama, danger, mystery, and romance. I read it in a day because it’s one of those fantastic books you can’t put down. In my opinion, it is historical fiction at its best.

Kathy
The Naturalist by Andrew Mayne

4
It took me a while to get into this novel, but after a few chapters I was hooked! Stayed up well into the night reading! It is a mesmerizing tale, bringing together science, forensics and criminal investigation, trying to solve murders. In the center is Professor Theo Cray, and his brilliance in seeing scientific clues where no one else can. I highly recommend this book!

Rosa
Moonrise Over New Jessup by Jamila Minnicks

5
This impressive debut novel is a story about the Black experience in late-1950s Alabama. Alice Young moves to New Jessup, a town built by Blacks and where Blacks choose to live among their own people, away from Whites on "the other side of the woods." There are no "Whites only" signs here, and Blacks can enter commercial establishments through the front door. Alice meets Raymond Campbell, who is part of a movement working towards municipality, where Blacks can have equal but separate rights, rather than integration. This was a different perspective on history and one that opened my eyes. The author's writing is beautiful and poetic. I was immersed in Alice's story of love, independence, and hope.

Jean
K is for Killer by Sue Grafton

4
I'm reading these alphabet mysteries in order and have now reached K. Our heroine, PI Kinsey Milhone, gets drawn into a world where people live by night when she's hired to investigate the death of a young woman. The police don't know how she died and their investigation into the causes and whether it is homicide has slowed. As always, Kinsey drives around a lot, talks to many people, reads many documents, and catches everyone in lies. This time she does it in the dark. She's not a night person normally, but becomes one in this case. I found the ending unsatisfying, not because she doesn't say whodunit, but because I couldn't follow her reasoning as to how she came to that conclusion.

Clare
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

5
A short, luminous novel, first in Chambers' Monk and Robot series. Simple narrative conveyed in clear prose that makes an emotional and psychologically-penetrating impact. Set in a future after humanity has clawed its way back from climate change and the mass extinction of species, this novel shows us how another species - a robot - can help us understand the limitations of human perception, how un-unique we really are as a species, how alike we are to other species and to consider whether the pursuit of a purpose-filled life might get in the way of us simply deriving pleasure from the fact of our being. A novel for anyone who has ever felt alone or that they do not seem to belong.

Andrew
Master of Demons by Jay Bower

5
Dark, emotional, and unnerving. But overall, this book was powerful in it's delivery. I don't like Mike (main character), nobody does at this point in his life (except in his other world), but that's what made this read so good. Even though the main character was pissing me off, I couldn't stop reading, and even though I was disgusted much of the time, I couldn't stop reading. Point is - I.COULD.NOT.STOP.READING - I was hooked to this pitiful man and his demons. The author constructed a great story of addiction that I would not have normally picked up by another author, but I've been wanting to read Jay's work for sometime and this seemed like the perfect place to start - I was not disappointed! I am still recovering from this one.

Beth
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

3
I listened to this book, which was read by the author. I was curious to read it as it been banned by a number of schools. That is such a shame as the author is trying to reach queer young Black boys who are struggling, as he was, with his sexual identity and his race. The sex depicted in the book is not prurient at all. It was hard for Johnson to write about it but he did so to help others get the information he didn’t have. Banning the book will only perpetuate the alienation queer young people may feel. Though I think the book has an important message, I gave it three stars because the reading felt too rushed - he didn’t pause between paragraphs or ideas. It may have been better to read it.

Betty
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict

3
The first half of the book rocketed along for me but it got bogged down in the second half. If this hadn't been a book club pick for me, I think I would have given up. It's certainly well researched, but just wasn't for me.

Rose
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

4
First, I did not like Carrie. She is bold, abrasive, and unkind. I get it - she is a fierce competitor, but being rude and a poor winner is not sportsmanlike. However, she knew what she wanted and she went for it. She loved her father deeply, but did not always show it in the best way. When Nicki Chan wins the U.S. Open in 1994, she beats Carrie's record of 20 Grand Slam titles. Carrie vows to get her record back and stages a comeback. Since I have been following tennis tournaments for a short time, I did enjoy hearing about the tennis, but if you don't enjoy watching tennis, this may be a bit tedious. I think it was important to show the dedication and the training required to be a top player.

Liz
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

5
A. J. Is a young widower who owns a failing bookstore. He has a prized rare collection of poems, that he hope one day he will be able to sell and provide for his retirement. One day, a surprise package is left at his store and from then on his life is turned upside down - but for the better. This is a fabulous story. It is funny, tender and heartbreaking.

Barbara
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

5
Just brilliant! The plot that follows Demon is so revealing of social ills, but amazingly this mirrors the Dickens’ DAVID COPPERFIELD perfectly.

Rose
Dear Barack: The Extraordinary Partnership of Barack Obama and Angela Merkel by Claudia Clark

4
Extremely well-researched account of the remarkable partnership and diplomacy of Obama and Merkel on the world stage. From an uncertain beginning to a warm friendship, Obama and Merkel dealt with the global financial crisis, climate change, war in Afghanistan, and more. Their maturity and their political savvy allowed them to work together to get the best outcome for their countries. This book highlighted many of the moments the two shared on the world stage. While there were some hiccups in their relationship, ultimately, their respect for each other shone through. Contrasted with how Merkel felt when Trump completely changed the diplomatic relations of the U.S. with the rest of the world, this showed how unique and fragile democracy is.

Katie
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

5
I didn’t want this book to end!

Marilyn
Persuasion by Jane Austen

5
Classic.

Rose
Karna's Wheel by Michael Tobert

4
I found this story to be quite confusing. It went from present day to historical without delineating the times well. Stephen is trying to understand his ancestry by researching his grandfather's story. Meanwhile, he is weaving a story of ancient times for his lover, Julia. There are scripts that Stephen and his roommate Seamus are going to develop regarding the grandfather, also Stephen, and his life in India. There is the story Stephen is telling Julia. Finally, there is the story of Stephen's mother and her questionable death. I also couldn't understand the dialog at times. If I were more knowledgeable about India, this may have been more interesting to me.

Susan
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

4
1960s and Elizabeth Zott is a scientist, a researcher-intimidatingly gorgeous, seemed a bit on the spectrum to me, and driven. She has a dark past. Elizabeth fights the good fight - fending off men's and bosses' advances, being completely outspoken, and then she meets brilliant scientist Calvin Evans. He also has a very dark past. They bond, jealousy at work creates turmoil, work product is stolen. There’s a dreadful accident. Life changes for Elizabeth who is mostly friendless, but whose unexpected pregnancy throws her in with a neighbor who is equally unhappy. A cooking show becomes a scientific presentation and a women’s hit. It’s a mystery wrapped in a comedy and a bit of pathos.

MH
The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict

4
I knew nothing about these six sisters, three of whom played a big part in WWII. Didn’t realize it was so easy to travel to and from Germany in the years leading up to the war. I gave the book a 4 because the nicknames were confusing, but the book, like this author’s others, was enthralling.

Rita
A Christmas Memory by Richard Paul Evans

5
First thing I want to say is this: shut off your electronic devices, get a cup of coffee, hot cocoa or hot tea along with a warm blanket if you need it because you won't want to stop reading this novel about a boy named Richard, his new life in Utah and his elderly neighbor Boone and his dog, Beau. I'll let you decide how you feel about it after you have read it yourself.

Rita
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni

5
This novel is about a baby who is born with ocular albinism and how this condition with red eyes made a difference in his life. His very religious mother, Maddy, from the very beginning told Sam that he will live an extraordinary life. Throughout his life he experienced being bullied, ignored and not accepted into any social settings until Sam met Ernie Cantwell and Michaela Kennedy (Mickie) who became his best friends for the rest of his life. I can't give this book enough praise and really describe the storyline to do the book justice other than I won't hesitate to pick this book up again and read it.

Lonnie
Longbourn by Jo Baker

5
Interesting historical fiction based on PRIDE AND PREJUDICE but focusing on the servants. It was a slow read, but I learned a lot about life for the lower class at the time period.

Anne
We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz

4
Suspenseful author to watch.

Chris
Dead Wake by Erik Larson

4
His historical fiction is so realistic and entertaining.

Rose
Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins

4
When Lillie shows wealthy widow, Melissa, a new home, she doesn't realize this will change her life. A few short months after the sale, Brad tells Lillie he wants a divorce, and he is marrying Melissa. Lillie is utterly shocked and attempts to move on with her life. Her son, Dylan, has gone off to college, her parents' marriage broke up years ago, and her relationship with her sister, Hannah, is only recently being rekindled. Lillie is a midwife in town, and enjoys bringing new life into the world. Lillie is also remembering a traumatic event that happened to her when she was just a teen and has never gotten resolution. Her friend Ben helps her face it. This is a novel of taking back your life and finding your strength in yourself.

Marcie
So Long, Chester Wheeler by Catherine Ryan Hyde

5
This was a story about a young man and an old man who was dying. They disliked each other but ended up finding out truths about themselves and each other.

Mary
Tiny Tin House by L. Maristatter

5
For feminist Christians, this novel is a must-read. Meryn is an independent young woman in a dystopian Christian States of America that demands from her nothing less than total submission to either her father or husband. Her stepfather kills her mother, and suddenly she has nowhere safe to live. How she fights through the attempts to control her makes for fascinating reading. I especially like where Kirkus Review said, "Maristatter’s prose is urgent and imaginative over the course of this novel, and the dystopia it fleshes out is frightfully intricate." Kirkus Reviews said to "get it," and I am very glad that I did. Got mine at my bookstore.

Barbara
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

5
I may be a little bit late to the bandwagon for this wonderful book, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment! Wow, wow, WOW is all I can say. When I finished this book I had to sit for about 10 minutes just absorbing the story. Then I immediately sent out a text to all my book reading friends to tell them if it wasn't on their TBR list, it needed to be. This story of naivety and adventures is engrossing. Don't let the fact that it is almost 600 pages deter you. It reads quickly. I couldn't put the book down. It tells the story of a young man and his younger brother and the adventures they have when trying to take the Lincoln Highway (it is a real thing) to California to find their mom.

Sherri
Fairy Tale by Stephen King

4
A slow start but interesting. Not his usual horror genre. Can't wait to see how the fairy tale aspect fits in. Enjoyable!

Brenda
New Normal by Michelle Paris

3
I was given this book to read and review! I found this book to be a little entertaining and an easy to follow story. The author presented many emotions; I just could not get emotionally attached to any of the characters. I found this story to be average with a little entertainment value. I am glad that I gave this author a try and I am sure there are people who will really love this story. I just won't be falling into this category. If you want a glimpse into spousal grief but with a positive spin, then this book should fill that category.

Brenda
At the Mountain's Edge by Genevieve Graham

4
This was a new author for me. Other people from my library have commented on how good her books are; I totally agree with them. I enjoyed the Canadian setting. I liked the flow of the story. I cheered at the ending.

Sandy
Fairy Tale by Stephen King

5
Haven't read Stephen King in a long time but this one was great!

Sandy
November 9 by Colleen Hoover

4
Kind of unbelievable but still good. .

Jane
To Win a Prince by Toni Shiloh

5
First time I have read one of Toni's books. Won't be the last. Adventure, career, loss of royal title, romance, hardships end in success. Ekon a prince loses his title as punishment for a crime. Queen shows favor and a second chance. He has to work as a business consultant for Iris Blakely, just starting a business in fashion. Inspiration and encouragement given Ekon by Iris as his friend. Will friendship lead to more? Elin stripped of all his worldly goods by his dad. But Ekon learns valuable lessons as he struggles through. Iris best friend becomes Queen when her grandfather dies. Iris and her friendship stays strong. Surprises pop up just as you think things cannot get any worse. I recommend you read this book.

Francisca
Small Wonder by Barbara Kingsolver

3
3.5 stars. This is a series of essays Kingsolver wrote in the year following the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center. Kingsolver can come across as preachy, but she also writes elegant passages about the restorative power of connecting with nature. There’s plenty of horrible in the world still, but reading this book of essays reminds me of those things that can help relieve the terror, fear, anguish, and find joy and hope again. I read this as a book, and it’s due back at the library now, but I think this is a collection that would be good to have handy to read a chapter or two every once in a while.

Anne
Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce

4
Hilarity, adventure, mystery, friendship, travel, casualty of war mesh together to create a tale of two polar opposite women. Plot and subplots, combined with strong characters enable the reader to go along on an adventure to a far away island. It is a novel one might wish never end. The author, sensing this, provides a delightful interview with the characters at the conclusion of the book, thereby leaving the reader content.

Gail
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

5
A fully-realized and memorable title character and expertly crafted narrative make this a must-read.

Debbie
The It Girl by Ruth Ware

2
THE IT GIRL embellished an understanding of the British collegiate system with all the tests and levels, but the friendship of six privileged students threw this reader into a love/hate relationship with the characters. Hannah Jones enters Oxford hardly believing her luck in being admitted to this esteemed institution. She immediately finds her roommate to be the rich and spoiled April Clarke-Cliveden. But six new students: Hannah, April, Hugh, Will, Ryan, and Emily, form a friendly group that practically lives together in fun and games inspired by April. April pulls vicious pranks on each of her friends, but April’s last prank proves deadly. Hannah and Hugh find a dead April one night. Hannah remembers seeing an Oxford porter...

Debbie
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

2
Jodi Picoult usually writes fascinating books, but WISH YOU WERE HERE misses the mark. The beginning and majority of the novel deals with Diana O’Toole’s trip to the Galapagos Islands without her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident at a New York hospital. Covid enters the picture and instead of both Diana and Finn going on vacation, Finn must stay and treat Covid patients, Diana goes to the islands and finds herself stranded on the island due to Covid. What a beautiful description of the idyllic island. Picoult brings home the terrors of Covid and the acute suffering of the victims. During this terrible time of the pandemic, we listened each day to the numbers of the dead. The actual work of the doctors and the support teams are hidden.

JaLynn
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

3
I found the main character to be irritating; not entirely unlikeable but not someone I particularly rooted for. Overall, this book has a lot of negatives such as how it belittles people for looks a ton, the male character is controlling in a way that isn't meant to come across that way I don't think, and the story's plot just falls off about halfway through. Despite a lot of negatives, this book was entertaining enough and I did like some of the character's quirks.

Rose
Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine

3
This is a multi-generational story spanning many years. Luz Lopez is "Little Light" and has a gift for reading tea leaves. She admires her elder brother, Diego, but when her father leaves them, Diego is later made to leave town by an angry mob. Luz begins to work for a lawyer in Denver, David, who is defending the Mexican and Indian people against ridiculous charges. Luz begins to have visions of her family and her homeland, the "Lost Territory". She is concerned for Diego and begs him to return to their family. Part coming-of-age, part family history, this is a sweeping tale of the indigenous people of America and how they tried to fight to retain their land and their rights.

Rose
One Last Gift by Emily Stone

3
Tom and Cassie looked out for each other after their parents died. Tom used to make a scavenger hunt each year for Cassie to follow. After Tom unexpectedly dies, Cassie is adrift. She is angry with Sam, Tom's best friend, for not being there for Tom. She is also angry at Sam because he rejected her love years earlier. Now, with Tom dead, Cassie finds a clue to the next scavenger hunt which is Tom's last gift to her, and allows her to find her way back to love. Okay story.

Sean
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

4
Gillian Flynn creates a disturbing and vengeful novel involving nothing but awful people. However, she does it in a way that had me so into turning each page. She keeps the readers in the dark on a lot of things but when everything is revealed, it's jaw-dropping. Flynn creates one of the most evil villains in recent memory. The sometimes play too cutesy with the back and forth, but these characters are just bad people and you don't really have anyone to root for. All that being said, I loved how the book was written. I would love to see where this goes but I always want to shower after reading it. Overall, a page-turner that deserves the praise it gets.

Sharon
Sam by Allegra Goodman

4
Sam loves to climb - anything: door frames, rocks, church walls, fences. You name it, she climbs. Pain of broken, skinned, hurting hands, shoulders, legs - none of it matters. She climbs. Goodman has written an interesting story of a young girl's growing up years when her father is a mostly absent person, her mother is over-worked and stressed, her little brother obsesses, and the mother's boyfriends are not what she really needs.

Laurel
Count the Ways by Joyce Maynard

5
It's been a long time since a book grabbed me like this one. It's a story of a family, heartbreaks, and forgiveness that keeps you reading "just one more chapter" long into the night...

Julie
The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict

4
I have never read anything about the Mitford sisters. This book was so interesting, and the writing was so good that I had no problems visualizing life back then.

Rose
Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

5
Loved, loved, loved GEORGIE, ALL ALONG! I am a huge Kate Clayborn fan, and I loved this book. Georgie has returned to her hometown to help her best friend Bel get ready for when her new baby arrives in about two months. Georgie has left her job as a personal assistant to those in the movie industry in CA and now needs something. When at Bel's, she finds the fic notebook they wrote in 8th grade with all the things they were going to do in high school. Now Georgie plans to revisit the things they didn't do. Enter Levi Fanning, the older brother of Georgie's childhood crush. He was considered trouble in his younger days, but now, he is trying to remake himself. Georgie and Levi are pushed together, and have to overcome things to find love.

Liz
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

4
Young-sook and Mi-ja are best friends in Jeju, an island where the women are in charge and men stay home and take care of the children. They make their living by being haenyeo, divers in the sea. It is a tumultuous time spanning several decades and the Japanese Colonialism, World War II and the Korean War. Something unthinkable happens and the rift that it causes between the friends in unrepairable. I found this book to be well written, very informative and educational. However, because of some of the very graphic scenes in the book, which are true, I hesitate to have my book club of senior ladies read it.

Ann Marie
The Maid by Nita Prose

5
My goodness, who wouldn't love this book? My whole book club is in agreement for once!

Destany
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

4
I have been on a historical fiction kick as of late, so this book seemed to do the trick. I realized this book took the story of two unfortunate souls who had to endure the Holocaust and all its brutality, wickedness, and see so much perish at the hand of their enemy. I felt Morris did a good job with the story.

Tessa
Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston

3
Book number three in the ONCE UPON A CON series can easily be read as a standalone. Rosie Thorne, high school senior and geek girl bookworm, and Hollywood bad boy Vance Reigns, who plays the villain in the Starfield movies, are the lead couple. It’s a YA romance, full of the drama of homecoming, friends, frenemies, gossip, the pitfalls of social media, and a bit of Comic-Con nerdiness thrown in. I can certainly see the appeal for the intended audience.

Beth
This Tender Land by William Kent Kreuger

4
This is the first person account of “the four vagabonds,” told by 12-year-old harmonica-playing, storytelling Odie. It is 1932, in the midst of the Depression, and Odie, his older brother, Albert, their Indian friend, Mose, and six-year-old Emmy are traveling by canoe to what Odie hopes is home in St. Louis. All four are orphans who had been living in unacceptable circumstances at an Indian boarding school in Minnesota with its vicious superintendent. The life they are leaving is based on what really did go on at many Indian boarding schools. Yes, the four are trying to escape their present environment, but the three boys are also running from the law. It is mistakenly believed that they have kidnapped Emmy.

Lana
Trailed: One Woman’s Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders by Kathryn Miles

5
An extremely well-written, true crime book regarding the murder of two young women in one of our busiest national parks. The author made her investigation of the National Park Service and law enforcement investigation more personal by writing about its effects on her personally. I know this will be one of the best books I read this year.

Sue
The Prisoner by B. A. Paris

5
Great plot line, keeps you hooked from the beginning!

Wendy
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

5
Loved this book! It’s a multigenerational drama about family and friendship, secrets and lies, identity and culture. Each of the exquisitely written short chapters gives you a delicious morsel of information, leaving you wanting to devour more and more of this book.

Laurie
These Precious Days by Ann Patchette

5
The essays by Ann Patchett are so well written, especially the one entitled ‘These Precious Days’ which crawled deep into heart!

Michelle
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

4
A haunting autobiographical novel. Plath gives a voice to the struggles of mental health and suicide. It was so sad to listen to Plath’s words knowing how she ended up taking her own life in real life. She also gives voice to the plight of women scholars and the difficult choices they had at the time between working versus marriage and motherhood. Her writing was at times poetic and moving, so distinct for Plath. And though I love similes, the overabundance of them was a little too much for me. But I appreciated the significance of every word and deeper meaning behind this story. The deeper the story went, the more you could feel the spiral downward, so it was a somber read for sure. I suspect it's just a glimpse into Plath's mind.

Darlene
The Circus Train by Amita Parikh

5
Excellent read!

Mary
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

4
Even though it’s clear from the onset that the main character dies, she weaves a great tale to get there.

Joan
Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro

4
I really enjoyed this book. The interconnected mess of all the characters was beautifully drawn, as is the resulting sadness that ensues when tragedy is swept under the rug. The characters will warm your heart.

Dona
The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd

5
A fascinating historical novel about Eliza Lucas who runs her fathers plantations in his absence and plants indigo for its dye. She faces many obstacles. Takes place early 1700s in South Carolina. Excellent historical fiction!!

Sally-Jo
State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny

4
Fast-paced thriller that does keep you on the edge of your seat. A bit weird throwing in the Gamache character.

Dorothy
Please Do Feed the Cat by Marian Babson

4
I have just discovered this author. Light, funny, cozy mystery. Apparently her books often have for footed characters who have interesting personalities. It is a charming, sometimes silly, way to brighten up a dark winter afternoon. I shall look for more of her work. She is quite prolific.

MABEL
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

5
I love the way Mr. Larson weaves the story between the 1893 World's Fair and a serial killer. I learned fascinating things about both.

Charlene
Code Breaker by Walter Issacson

5
This story sets a standard for telling stories of geniuses in medicine and science. It was a good read and well researched both historically and during the innovations using RNA genetic research leading to diagnosis and treatments for COVID virus. The ups and downs of academic medicine for women in this story is honest and describes ongoing challenges.

Barbara-Ann
The Corpse Flower by Anne Mette Hancock

5
Great characters.

MH
The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict

4
Didn’t know anything about these sisters, but found the book fascinating. Benedict seems to pick lesser known women in history and research them thoroughly. I looked up pictures of the six women, but couldn’t spot which one was supposed to be the beautiful one. They all looked similar to me! Would have liked to know more about the younger girls and the brother. I got lost with all the nicknames that seemed to have little connection to their real names.

Denise
Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger

4
I picked up this book because we are a family of campers. That being said, this location is not your average “secluded cabin”. This book involved a few family and friends that go to stay at a mansion. I was drawn into the family dynamics from the beginning. Lisa Unger has a gift of presenting the characters individually and as they interact with one another. She also paints a descriptive picture of the settings, both inside and outdoors. I would recommend this book to readers that like edge-of-your-seat thrillers.

Elizabeth
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

5
I loved this book! I couldn't put it down and was disappointed when it was finished because I wanted it to continue. I was in high school in New York City in the early 70s. This book brought back a lot of memories, both good and bad. The author developed the characters so well that I felt like they were real people. In the beginning, I didn't think I would like the way it was written, like people being interviewed, but I found it to be a very effective way of getting to know the characters. I highly recommend it to all ages!

Lynn
The Maid by Nita Prose

4
Memorable.

Vesna
Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica

4
Super fast read with a plot twist at the end that just makes you stop and think WOW! Suspenseful, flawed characters, a good thriller to take your mind away for an afternoon.

PJ
Self-Portrait With Ghost: Short Stories by Meng Jin

4
This was an interesting collection of short stories with characters that are sometimes engaging but sometimes very elusive. The best story by far is the last one in the book, "The Odd Women". "The Odd Women" was certainly very thought-provoking in that the women have different strange abilities, and it makes one think of how the abilities or lack of them transformed the women's lives. Do people like them as they are because of their abilities and who are they without the abilities?

Melissa
Verity by Colleen Hoover

5
A good indication of how good a book is, is if it takes me a week to read or 6 months. I read it in about a week. It's one of those books that you think of when you're doing other things. I found myself thinking, I just wanna sit down and read my book. I'm not sure even what genre it is considered, suspense or thriller maybe.

Jeanette
The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander

4
A warm and snuggly about a downsized librarian finding a new home, purpose and love, and focusing on the vacant phone box she inherits with the house she purchases.

Betty
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict

3
I really couldn't get involved. The writing seemed rather dispassionate to me.

Kathleen
All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham

5
ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS by Stacy Willingham is the story of Isabelle and her loss. Her son, Mason, has been missing for over a year; he was a year and a half at the time. The case has not been solved, much to Isabell's confusion. She had hoped that after all this time that someone somewhere would have seen or heard something. This book is a psychological thriller at its best, lots of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. I really enjoy this type of book and this one was really good!

Linda
A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny

4
This murder mystery is not set in Three Pines but at a remote, luxurious hotel nearby. Such an idyllic setting, but then a murder! A wealthy, entitled, dysfunctional family is there for their annual reunion and so is chief inspector Gomache and his wife to celebrate an anniversary. I love Penny's character portrayals.

Charlynn
Foster by Claire Keegan

5
FOSTER takes place in Ireland in the early 1980s, though because of its rural setting it seems much earlier in time. The book is short (less than 100 pages), and the writing is sparse, but not one word is wasted. It is a heartbreaking story of childhood, loss, and love. The author made me feel the sentiments of each one of the characters, and I thought about the story long after it was through. I loved it!

Gail
A Map for the Missing by Belinda Huijuan Tang

3
A mathematics professor returns to his native China to search for his estranged father who has gone missing. In the process, the main character reconnects with his mother and his home village and finds closure on old relationships. The book is full of interesting details on Chinese culture and history.

Donna
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

4
Our book club is reading this book this month. I thought I was going to hate it because romance novels are not my thing, but after the first half I found myself totally drawn to the characters. It's a very sad book about spousal abuse, but Hoover approached it from different angles and I think our book club will have a lively discussion!

Linda
Tales of Al: The Water Rescue Dog by Lynne Cox

5
Lynne cox's life is fascinating -- Al's even better! Incredible training and patience to bring the Newfie around to being a reliable rescue dog.

Rose
The Floating Girls by Lo Patrick

3
Set in the coastal marshes of Georgia, the Whittakers are poor and isolated. So, when 12-year old Kay meets Andy Webber, she is instantly enthralled. She believes she is in love, but her parents warn her to stay away from him and his family. She finds out that Andy's mom died mysteriously years ago. Now, Kay's sister Sarah-Anne is missing. Kay is wise-cracking and bold in her language and her opinions. The mysteries that surround her family and the Webbers mold her for life. I liked Kay's character, but I don't like books that allow you to wonder what actually happened. The ending is unclear, although I think I know - but I don't like the vagueness.

LINDA
Storming Meg by Pamela Burford

5
I loved this book! Meg had grown up in a trailer park with a dad who couldn't hold a real job, lying to her mom that the money-making scheme would make them rich time after time, and then she fell for Jack who wanted to have his brewery. I liked that Jack fought hard to make his dream come true and never stopped loving Meg.

Andrew
By the Light of Dead Stars by Andrew Van Wey

5
I just finished this book and if you enjoy cosmic horror, this is for you! I enjoyed every minute!

Susan
Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris

5
Fen, an illusionist, is a Dutch orphan who is a child growing up in upper Michigan in the 30s and 40s. She is taken in by the Aaires family and they fall in love, but Fen wants more to life then marriage and children so she leaves goes to Chicago to be on stage. One night she is approached by a stranger who enlists in helping the war cause. Her exploits lead her into danger and trying to help Aarie who is in the service. It is a very intense book.

Beth
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

3
I like historical fiction and though I have read a lot of it about WWII, this story of the Rabbits who were experimented on by the Nazis was not known to me. The story is compelling, but I give it 3 stars as I thought the dialog between characters was sometimes stilted.

Nancy
Horse by Geraldine Brooks

5
I read this book when it first came out and just re-read it for two book club discussions that I am leading. I've read all of Geraldine Brooks' fiction, love her as an author, and love this book most of all. You don't have to like or know anything about horses to appreciate this book. It will make you think -- about racism during Civil War times and now, about love, about art and about life.

Marcia
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

5
She (Jodi) always writes a book that makes you think and this is no exception. Very good. Keeps you wondering, and it's also educational.

Sheila
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb

5
It told the story of the struggle of a Black violinist facing prejudice and the mystery of his stolen family heirloom. I loved going behind the scenes of the cutthroat world of classical music. It was remarkably well written. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough!

Marcia
City of Darkness and Light by Rhys Bowen

4
This is Book 13 in the Molly Murphy series. Molly is trying to solve the mystery of her friends' disappearance in Paris. She has traveled there with her young son to get away from a dangerous situation in New York.

Jeanne
The House of Wolves by James Patterson and Mike Lupica

5
THE HOUSE OF WOLVES by James Patterson and Mike Lupica is a riveting, compelling thriller that I could not put down. I don’t usually read books about sports, but this book about a very powerful family who owned an NFL football team and a San Francisco newspaper as part of their empire was a gripping story about murder, family conflicts, danger, fights for control and power because in the Wolf family all that seemed to matter was winning and kill or be killed. It had all the elements of a good thriller including romance, suspense, drama and intrigue. I thought it was well written with outstanding dialogue and character development that fit perfectly with the storyline.

Lori
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

4
Might have enjoyed it more if I was a gamer but still a compelling read about the relationship between friends over a span of about 20 years.

Rose
Just Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane

3
Four lifelong friends: Eve, Justin, Susie, and Ed are playing trivia one night, along with Ed's girlfriend, Hester. When Hester asks Ed to marry him in front of the entire pub, Eve is devastated. It seems that Ed proclaimed his love for Eve years ago, and due to a miscommunication, he felt it was not reciprocated. The next morning, Ed contacts Eve with awful news. As Eve tries to come to terms with this news, she finds out secrets that he held from her. Eve tries to make sense of this, and also re-familiarizes herself with someone that was important to her in the past. Will Eve be able to move forward, and will she be able to come to terms with the secrets, and who she thought her friends were? The back stories were interesting. Just okay.

Rose
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

4
Sweet, contemporary romance. Jess Davis, a single mom, and her daughter, Juno are doing just fine. But, Jess can't seem to have a good date. Then at the coffee shop with her best friend, they see "Americano", a handsome man who always orders the same coffee. When her friend stops him to ask if he is really a matchmaker, he tells them he does genetic matching. The two women agree to do the match test, and Jess is matched to Americano, Dr. River Peña. They are a 98% match, a statistician, Jess struggles with it, but agrees to date him for a fee. Sparks fly, their friendship and love deepen. Just a sweet book about the power of finding your soulmate and loving your friends and family deeply.

Adrien
In Five Years by Rebecca Searle

4
A touching story of love and friendship.

Rosemary
Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout

4
Lucy Barton is whisked away from her New York City apartment to a seaside house in Maine by her ex-husband at the start of the Covid pandemic. They have to face ghosts of the past and try to look to the future while trying to be isolated enough to survive the dangers of the modern world. This is an interesting look at how two people try to adjust to a world gone mad while trying to just survive and move on with life at the same time. Brings back memories of the epidemic and all we went through to try to adjust!

Rose
Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson

4
Nellie Coker is the maven of multiple nightclubs in London. She got her start by taking jewels from her landlady, after her death, and invested the money in clubs. She had a cop, Maddox, on her payroll, to warn her of raids. But, later, Maddox plans to take her down and get the clubs for himself. John Frobisher is trying to bring Maddox to justice. Meanwhile, Freda and Florence come to London to find fame. Gwendolen Kelling was asked by Freda's sister, Cissy, to find them. When she asks for Frobisher's help, he hires Gwendolen to spy on Nellie for him. This is the story of the Coker family: Nellie and her children, and the people who are her enemies. It gives some insight into the seedy underworld of drugs, drinking, greed, and deceit.

Debbie
The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie

3
Agatha Christie utilizes so many sayings in her works that give moments of enjoyment. This story centers on “smoke without fire”. And, of course, the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam and the book of Daniel from the Bible both figure in the title of the story, THE MOVING FINGER. Christie’s vast knowledge of literature and life and characters enhance the story as the reader attempts to understand the references. The male narrator, Jerry Burton, works like Dr. Watson, in relaying the events and giving the readers a clue as to the outcome. Miss Marple pops into the story to throw in her two cents about each character that aids Jerry and the police in finding the murderer. What a delight to read an Agatha Christie mystery with the lovely presentation.

Debbie
The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin

3
THE SOUND OF LIGHT by Sarah Sundin displays the resistance of the Danes against Hitler and the Germans during 1943. The Danes almost practiced Mahatma Gandhi’s policy of peaceful resistance. Before the Germans could round up and deport Danish Jews, the majority of the Jews were transported to neutral Sweden. Sundin highlights much of this history as well as showing the horrors of German occupation. Sundin provides a vocabulary of the Danish words and mind-provoking questions at the end of the book. The plight of scientists and their jealousy shows how the Germans attacked friendship and loyalty. A vivid look at the determination of the Danes in keeping their life status quo.

Sherri
Fairy Tale by Stephen King

4
Something different from King. Horrific in its own way. A great read!

J.W.
Reed Ferguson Mystery Series by Renee Pawlish

4
This series builds book by book and you enjoy seeing the relationships advance, keeping the same characters throughout the series yet inventing new and intriguing scenarios with each new book. Reed is an "off the wall" character and the books have mystery, humor, and substance. I highly recommend them to "light mystery" readers.

Jean
Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith

4
I like this series very much. The characters are well drawn and seem real. J. K. Rowling (Galbraith is her pen name) has proven herself to me. She is a fantastic writer. I did not like the story within the story but that is probably just me. It felt disjointed. I do hope she keeps writing the series. I will keep reading it if she doesn't make it so long.

Jean
The Prisoners of the Castle by Ben Macintyre

5
I loved this book. The author has done a fantastic job in taking real-life war events and making them read as if they were a novel. I have read several of his books having to do with WWII; they have all been winners in my opinion.

Jill
Miss Bensen's Beetle by Rachel Joyce

5
This a delightful read about how Margery Bensen, a 50-something-year-old woman, and her companion, Enid Pretty, go from England to New Caledonia to find a rare golden beetle that her (Bensen's) father had told her about when she was a child. They find something more wonderful - a rare and wonderful friendship that transforms Margery's life and brings her out into the world. And they do find the beetle. This is the story of their journey and how they cope with the many things that happen along the way. Joyce understands human nature well and it shines through in this book.

Laura
The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid

4
This is a short book and an easy read and very thought-provoking. One day Anders wakes up and he is dark. Anders is not the only one changing, people everywhere are changing. The characters are interesting as are their points of view. What goes on in the new world is also interesting. Not unexpected given today's world but insightful.

Helen
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

5
This riveting book is a collaboration between two best selling authors. A heartbreaking love story and a fascinating perspective on the strength and courage of a transgender person spoken in first person in their journey of self discovery and finding love and acceptance. A must-read for any book club.

Tessa
The Opposite of Everyone by Joshilyn Jackson

3
I really like Jackson’s books. I love her quirky Southern characters, with their colorful sayings and folk wisdom. I frequently want to shake some sense into them, and more often want to sit down with them over a few glasses of wine and just get to know them better. However improbable the many coincidences, I bought this story hook-line-and-sinker. There is more than one broken character here, but they learn to rely on one another and take steps toward healing.

Rose
The Wedding Ringer by Kerry Rea

4
Willa Callister's life was turned upside down when she caught her fiancé and her best friend in bed together. Feeling betrayed, she abandoned her successful career, and now performs as a princess at children's birthday parties, for her sister's company. When Maisie Mitchell, a nervous wreck, hires Willa to be her friend and bridesmaid, Willa only agrees so she can start a new life. But, Maisie is a true sweetheart, and Willa starts having true friend feelings for her. When Maisie's fiancé's best friend, Dr. Liam Rafferty, starts to show interest in Willa, she is concerned because she knows she is living a lie as Maisie's friend. Liam is all about the truth. Charming and cute, this is a nice story about friendship and love. Easy read.

Rose
Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Daniel Silva

4
Very well-crafted thriller about forgery in the art world. Former spy, now art restorer, Gabriel Allon, is asked to confirm the authenticity of a painting by a London art dealer, Julian Isherwood. The painting, The Portrait of Unknown Woman, attributed to Sir Anthony van Dyck, is a forgery. Now, Allon is on a mission to find the artist who is passing off multiple fake paintings to the auction houses and galleries. Art fraud is a very lucrative crime, and the penalties are barely anything in comparison to the fraud. Interesting story.

Anna
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

5
For me, this book was an emotional roller coaster. I love when books make me cry so hard the tears just stream down my face. I feel stupid but at the same time I know it's because I got so wrapped up with the characters and the message I got out of the story. This book was not perfect because there were a few things I didn't like, but on the whole I had to give it five stars. When I finished the book and read the author's own person experience and the reasons she wrote about marital abuse it really touched me. Love is sometimes hard but you have to "just keep on swimming."

Anna
Hope by Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus

3
An extraordinary account of how three young girls survived kidnapping and went missing for 10 years. Amanda Berry's honesty about her Stockholm Syndrome-like emotions is admirable and shows her extraordinary strength and will to survive, especially for her daughter. These women are an inspiration to all survivors. Thank goodness that their story has a happy ending.

Rose
Locust Lane by Stephen Amidon

4
This is the first book I have read by Amidon, and it won't be the last. It is the story of an incident that happened where a teen girl dies. Her friends are very quiet about what happened, but the real story is how the parents handle the crime and their children's roles in it. Michel, father of Christopher, and Alice, Hannah's stepmother, are having an affair. Oliver and Celia are Jack's parents, and have covered for Jack in the past. Patrick, drunk, hits a dog and sees a man. Eden is the girl who dies, and her mom is Danielle. Geoff is Hannah's dad, and Oliver asks for his help to prove Jack's innocence. These parents are all trying to cover for their children, while not knowing what really happened that fateful night. Very good.

Louise
The Doctor's Wife by Daniel Hurst

5
Have loved every one of Daniel Hurst's books, and this was no exception!

JaLynn
A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass

5
I never write five star reviews, and it definitely feels weird to write one for this book because I started off thinking there was no way. I liked it but I kept feeling like I would never want the main characters together. But somehow this just made the book even better when I started rooting for the main characters. I loved both main characters as they had flaws, but they weren't unlikeable. Annika wasn't just a stereotypical princess (from books like either overly rebellious or overly stuck up). Lennox was strong and hardened by his life, but he still was never a person you hated. The world was also fun to get to be a part of. I overall just had an amazing time reading this book and for that it earned 5 stars.

Rita
The Whittiers by Danielle Steel

4
The Whittier family have a busy and fun-filled life until one event changes all of their lives. Preston and Constance are on their yearly getaway from the family when tragedy hits. The four adult children need to take charge of their two other siblings. While they are trying to settle their parent's estate they meet many challenges while mourning the death of their parents. Great story about a loving family and how they choose to support each other.

Debra
Sanctuary Hill by Kathryn R. Wall

4
Old secrets and new crimes intertwine in this Southern mystery.

Barbara
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

5
A fun read; a step above a Hallmark movie type. Entertaining dialogue, witty repartee between the two main couples, Olive and Ethan. Olive's twin and Ethan's brother cannot go on their honeymoon so Olive and Ethan go to Maui in their place. Sounds terrific. Except they cannot stand each other. You can guess what eventually happens, of course, but the setting and gradual changes of heart make for an easy outcome. If only. Of course, there is a major bump in the road. Very enjoyable romance.

Rose
In the Time of Our History by Susanne Pari

5
Thanks to Kensington and the Between the Chapters Book Club for the beautiful book. This is a heart-wrenching story of an Iranian family who moved to the US after the revolution in 1979. However, the father is very traditional, and expects his two daughters to marry, oldest to youngest. His eldest has no intention of being married, so she rebels with a drastic act, but it allows her sister to get married and escape a terrible trauma of her own. Now years later, and a year after her sister's death, Mitra must face the secrets of the past, and the mindset of the traditional patriarchy. When the secrets are finally revealed, there is hope for change. This story provides a snapshot into Iranian culture and so much more!

Kimberley
The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop by Fannie Flagg

5
Life has a wonderful way of taking amazing turns. This sweet story follows Bud Threadgoode and the residents of Whistle Stop, Alabama over the decades. It is joyful and and a soul-searching journey. It is a quick read with fun, playful characters. The female characters carry the story with their strength, bravery and determination.

Barbara
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

1
My book club chose to read this book. I am a fan of dystopian science fiction, and the characters were somewhat obnoxious. I struggled through the book as I found it exceedingly dull, but I read what we have agreed to read every month. I personally would not recommend it to anyone.

Sandra K.
Deuce by Vivian Zenari

4
An exploration of what it means to be intersex. This is a book that will challenge your perception of what is normal. Thank you to Inanna Press for the opportunity to read this book.

Anita
In the Time of Our History by Susanne Pari

5
This was a beautifully-written book about an Iranian family who immigrated to the United States after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The book opens up with a woman living in San Francisco returning to her family's home in New Jersey for the one year anniversary of her sister's tragic death.

Kathleen
You Can Run by Rebecca Zanetti

5
It was so good, I didn't want to put it down. I had to, though, as my dry eyes were practically bleeding!

Richard N B
On Gold Mountain by Lisa See

4
Subtitle: The One-Hundred-Year Odyssey of a Chinese-American Family. This is See’s “biography” of her family, starting with her great-great-grandfather, Fong Dun Shung, who immigrated to America (“The Gold Mountain”) in 1861 as an herbalist/healer working for the railroad. In chronicling her family’s story she also explores the history of immigration policy/discrimination in the U.S., particularly in regards to those of Pan-Asian origin. Very interesting and readable.

Donna
The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka

4
THE SWIMMERS begins with a group of swimmers at a much-loved community pool but ends with a focus on one of the older swimmers and her experience with memory loss. A crack forms in the bottom of the pool and it is closed. This is earth shattering to some of the swimmers including Alice who suffers from dementia. This short novel examines the routines in our everyday lives.

Rose
The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh

4
Ffion Morgan is a detective, and on New Years Day a dead body has surfaced in the lake. It is Rhys Lloyd, the man that all the young girls admired, but now that he is older, most of the town despises. Many people wanted him dead, but who actually killed him? Ffion and her partner, Leo, try to discover who killed Rhys, and in the meantime, the reader learns of all the things that Rhys did to the various townspeople. He built a series of homes overlooking the lake, and his plans and rules are not what everyone expected. He also has a few secrets, as do the townspeople. As Ffi and Leo work through the details, you will be surprised at how many people despised Rhys and why. Surprising end.

Rita
Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson

5
Pheby Brown was told by her slave mother to never think of herself as a slave, even if it was only in her mind. Pheby was told by her White father that he would free her when she turned eighteen. One fateful day everything changed for her. This book is filled with uncomfortable facts to read. I know that this unspeakable history occurred. The book is heartbreaking, but the author wrote it beautifully despite the subject matter. Highly recommend.

Stefanie
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

4
The story was very cute, and very representative of the mood of the mid-1900s regarding women and their place in society. I love how the protagonist never apologizes for being who she is or what she believes, and almost willfully ignores the societal expectations placed on women at the time. A great story and an easy read.

Stefanie
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

5
The story is amazingly creepy and another great example of Grady Hendrix's ability to unsettle the reader on almost every page. Just the idea of possessed evil dolls haunting a house, let alone the interwoven story of the main characters, is enough to give you the heebie-jeebies.

Stefanie
The Woman in Black: A Ghost Story by Susan Hill

4
The story, although published in the early 1980s, is written as if it was written during the time period of the story (the late 1800s). The horror of the story is a slow build, but the entire time you get this overwhelming sense of dread. The protagonist does his best to maintain perspective, but the spectre of the woman in black brings him down and wears on his emotions and his sanity. An excellent and fast read.