I previously read and loved the book in print; the audiobook is even better with Wilson's performance of her own material.I previously read and loved the book in print; the audiobook is even better with Wilson's performance of her own material....more
The murder of an unsavory character unites a group of strangers, each of whom has a connection to the victim and a potential motive, lead by tea shop The murder of an unsavory character unites a group of strangers, each of whom has a connection to the victim and a potential motive, lead by tea shop owner Vera Wong, who fancies herself an amateur detective....more
Elin's "final" Nantucket novel is perfection. This satisfying story is replete with Easter eggs from her extensive catalog of novels, combined with heElin's "final" Nantucket novel is perfection. This satisfying story is replete with Easter eggs from her extensive catalog of novels, combined with her vivid, enticing descriptions of the island of Nantucket and her signature style and charm. I hope that there may be future novels from her, but if not, this is a worthy finale....more
Not my favorite by Waxman, but still OK. She writes about the geography and celebrity culture that pervades Los Angeles so well. I also like the uniquNot my favorite by Waxman, but still OK. She writes about the geography and celebrity culture that pervades Los Angeles so well. I also like the unique, sometimes offbeat, characters and family dynamics that she creates. Here, famous naturalist Jasper Liddle returns to his wife and three grown daughters after having gone missing in the Alaskan wilderness 25 years prior. His youngest of 3 daughters, Christa, is also a scientist who was too young to really know her father when he went missing. Nevertheless, after having grown up with difficulty in the spotlight, she has retreated to a remote island in the Indian Ocean to study snails. Her preference to remain isolated is reinforced when she returns to Los Angeles to reunite with her family after her father's reappearance and the media circus that ensues....more
A reality competition TV show affords two pianists a chance to rediscover their love of music while reinventing themselves. Outstanding writing about A reality competition TV show affords two pianists a chance to rediscover their love of music while reinventing themselves. Outstanding writing about musicianship, performance, and creating art. Zany side characters and obstacles that the two main characters face....more
I was not familiar with the author or his work prior to reading this essay collection, but his nostalgic and pop culture fueled stories are a hilariouI was not familiar with the author or his work prior to reading this essay collection, but his nostalgic and pop culture fueled stories are a hilarious and heartwarming holiday sampler. I read this in less than 24 hours....more
This story shows why people have lost faith in the foster care and adoption system that, at least in theory, is supposed to protect vulnerable childreThis story shows why people have lost faith in the foster care and adoption system that, at least in theory, is supposed to protect vulnerable children. The adoptive mothers’ actions were deplorable. The fact that their abuse of these 6 dependent children continued for so long across several state lines with no consequences is inexplicable. The system totally failed these children and their biological families at every step of the process. Heartbreaking....more
More mystery than thriller. I enjoyed the relationship between three generations of women that is reminiscent of Emily/Lorelai/Rory from Gilmore GirlsMore mystery than thriller. I enjoyed the relationship between three generations of women that is reminiscent of Emily/Lorelai/Rory from Gilmore Girls, but the central mystery was not that interesting, and the book was too long with too many unnecessary rabbit trails....more
The Meryl Streep narration of the audio book is pure perfection. She gives the story even greater depth than the printed version, which is excellent oThe Meryl Streep narration of the audio book is pure perfection. She gives the story even greater depth than the printed version, which is excellent on its own. The protagonist Lara's relationship with her 3 adult daughters as she recounts her brief time as an amateur actress in her own formative years comes even more alive through Streep's interpretation. Highly recommended in either print or audio format....more
Complicated relationships among 3 generations: grandmother Mei/May who immigrated to the US from China during Mao's cultural revolution, willing to saComplicated relationships among 3 generations: grandmother Mei/May who immigrated to the US from China during Mao's cultural revolution, willing to sacrifice her homeland, family and true love in exchange for the freedoms that she expects to find; her daughter Lily, a first generation Chinese-American with every imaginable opportunity, yet struggling with the legacy of her parents' choices; and Lily's son Nicholas, who grows up in a single-parent household and questions his own identity as the product of a mixed-race relationship, not knowing the circumstances that led to him having an absentee father. The characters are well-defined, as are the locations of turn-of-the century New York City, mid- to late-century China, and contemporary Silicon Valley/West Coast. Epigenetics is creatively woven into the story.
I received an ARC through a Goodreads Giveaway....more
Hardin is a tremendous writer. Her story as a drug-addicted, identity stealing, middle- to upper-class white felon who rises from the ashes to a succeHardin is a tremendous writer. Her story as a drug-addicted, identity stealing, middle- to upper-class white felon who rises from the ashes to a successful literary career, counting Oprah and Desmond Tutu among her professional acquaintances, is both unbelievable and inspiring. Her struggle through the criminal justice system to regain parenting privileges of her four sons, especially her youngest son who witnessed her arrest, and own her accountability for her actions, is heartbreaking. The reader can assume that her lifelong love of books influenced her remarkable journey. She acknowledges that the habit of retreating into books to escape difficult situations that she developed in her youth paralleled her later drug use for similar reasons. As a ghostwriter, she was already a New York Times bestseller prior to the publication of this book. She is an outstanding writer of non-fiction, and someone whose work I will look out for in the future....more
Kristin Hannah pulled me in again with her characters and totally absorbing story. Due to the subject matter, women's roles in the Vietnam War, it wouKristin Hannah pulled me in again with her characters and totally absorbing story. Due to the subject matter, women's roles in the Vietnam War, it would be wrong to say that this was a pleasurable book to read. However, it is an important book with a worthy subject matter that is not a well-known part of US history. As usual, Hannah incorporates plenty of melodrama, which is a lot for me, but the issues are so interrelated that they cannot be omitted from the narrative....more
I have been wanting to read Claire Fuller for a long time. As speculative fiction/dystopia/sci-fi, this probably would not have been my first choice oI have been wanting to read Claire Fuller for a long time. As speculative fiction/dystopia/sci-fi, this probably would not have been my first choice of where to start with her books, but the book becoming available through my library hold list forced my hand. The pandemic storyline held my interest, though it may not be substantial enough for more avid sci-fi readers than me, and I liked the family history and octopus threads as well. However, the true gem of this novel is the refined prose. I look forward to reading more books by this author, including Unsettled Ground and Swimming Lessons, which are already on my shelf. ...more
Set in Maine and recommended to me by a bookseller at Royal River Books in Yarmouth, Maine, while I was on vacation there recently. This novel exploreSet in Maine and recommended to me by a bookseller at Royal River Books in Yarmouth, Maine, while I was on vacation there recently. This novel explores the seedy underbelly of a small town on Maine's midcoast that is run by a lobsterman and his local politician wife. Their humble beginnings and blue collar jobs are at odds with the extravagant lifestyle they lead. How that came to be and how it all publicly unravels is slowly revealed....more
Following her engagement, a Manhattan lawyer in her 30s gets a glimpse of her life 5 years into the future when she wakes up in an unfamiliar home to Following her engagement, a Manhattan lawyer in her 30s gets a glimpse of her life 5 years into the future when she wakes up in an unfamiliar home to a different man than her fiancé. The rest of the story follows what happens in her life in the intervening five years. Several unexpected, yet interesting, turns along the way make for a different reading experience than I expected when I chose this book, but in the best way. ...more
The life cycle of a book, from its source material, creation, publication, commercialization, and consumption. It affects everyone with whom it comes The life cycle of a book, from its source material, creation, publication, commercialization, and consumption. It affects everyone with whom it comes into contact differently, and sometimes profoundly, as this novel explores....more
An in-depth look at the textile industry, from sourcing wool through the shearing process to the complexities of dyeing it and knitting a sweater. I eAn in-depth look at the textile industry, from sourcing wool through the shearing process to the complexities of dyeing it and knitting a sweater. I enjoyed the author's personal anecdotes that influenced and accompanied her journey more than the voluminous historical and technical details....more
As a fan of The Guncle and Lily and the Octopus, this book was a bit of a letdown. It lacked the sharp, smart dialog of Guncle, and neither the characAs a fan of The Guncle and Lily and the Octopus, this book was a bit of a letdown. It lacked the sharp, smart dialog of Guncle, and neither the characters nor their relationships with each other were well-developed. I had to suspend disbelief to accept the premise, that these characters, lifelong friends since their college days at Berkley, would come together with no advance notice at various points throughout their lives for their living funerals. The comparisons of this book to The Big Chill are appropriate. Good concept for a novel, but not executed as well as I would have expected from this author....more
Powerful look at the choices that a black, teen girl who has essentially been orphaned must make to take care of herself and her loved ones, and the fPowerful look at the choices that a black, teen girl who has essentially been orphaned must make to take care of herself and her loved ones, and the failure of, and exploitation by, the criminal justice system of vulnerable members of society....more
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