I really LOVED this slightly implausible, utterly funny, feminist pandemic story about a group of abused British housewives who take back control of tI really LOVED this slightly implausible, utterly funny, feminist pandemic story about a group of abused British housewives who take back control of their lives. Told from alternating POVs from a diverse cast of women, we get to know each of their stories and the ways their husband's hurt them (emotionally and physically), driving them to kill each man in self-defense.
Set during the height of COVID restrictions in suburban Britain, the women try to follow social distancing protocols while also figuring out a way to dispose of their husband's bodies without getting caught by the police or their nosy neighbor. While this was told with humor, it touches on very important realities of domestic violence the rates of which dramatically rose when women became trapped with their abusers during the pandemic.
Excellent on audio with a full cast of narrators and a heartfelt author's note included at the end. This is perfect for fans of books like Katy Brent's How to kill men and get away with it. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!!...more
A heartfelt middle grade road trip novel that picks up where the last book left off and sees Coyote, her dad, her friend and her dad's new girlfriend A heartfelt middle grade road trip novel that picks up where the last book left off and sees Coyote, her dad, her friend and her dad's new girlfriend retracing their previous journey in search of her mother's missing poetry book. A beautiful story of friendship, love, grief and learning to let go. Coyote is such a memorable protagonist and I really hope there will be more books! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
This was a really interesting climate change/dysptopian novel with a full cast of characters (including some animals). Thought-provoking, original andThis was a really interesting climate change/dysptopian novel with a full cast of characters (including some animals). Thought-provoking, original and excellent on audio with a great group of narrators! Highly recommended for fans of books like Songs for the end of the world by Saleema Nawaz or the MaddAddam series by Margaret Atwood. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
I really enjoyed this story about two queer, Black friends in their early 30s trying to figure out life during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. WhI really enjoyed this story about two queer, Black friends in their early 30s trying to figure out life during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. When the lockdown throws her life into chaos, Maya, a fat, queer, woman decides to move back home to DC and not willing to lose her friendship, her ace friend Ant follows, leaving his homeland of Hawaii for the first time.
This book is set solidly in during the height of the pandemic in 2021 with all the anxieties, Zoom calls, isolation and mental fatigue that came along with that time. It may be too soon for some but others may find solace reading about others who struggled, especially young Black millennials.
Aside from the growing pains of resetting your life in a crazy time, the story also focuses on the the friendship between Maya and Ant as Ant starts to develop more than platonic feelings for Maya and they explore what an allo/ace relationship might look like.
This was my first book by Eden Appiah-Kubi and I'm excited to go and read her debut, The Bennet women next. It was also good on audio narrated by Tamika Katon-Donegal. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
This was an okay read/listen for a psychological domestic suspense story. I was honestly expecting a little more suspense in this dual timeline look iThis was an okay read/listen for a psychological domestic suspense story. I was honestly expecting a little more suspense in this dual timeline look into the relationships between a husband and wife and the husband's secret childhood fling. Lots of infidelity (not my fav) and not enough blood thirsty revenge for my tastes. I can't quite describe what didn't work just that I wanted more. There was a lot of pandemic life intertwined in the story too and I wasn't really interested in that either. Totally a me thing though, I'm sure fans of Shari Lapena or Liv Constantine will enjoy this one a lot....more
WOW. For a such small volume of poems/letters/essays and prompts this sure packs a punch!! Written by a popular Asian Canadian trans femme author duriWOW. For a such small volume of poems/letters/essays and prompts this sure packs a punch!! Written by a popular Asian Canadian trans femme author during the pandemic when they were hurting from seeing all the hate and violence in the world. This book is meant to be a source of catharsis, provide healing and be a beacon of trans joy.
Dedicated to different people and topics, each poem/letter is filled with emotion and deeply personal. Both sad and hopeful, this reads as a volume meant to heal during a very painful period of the author's life.
Lyrical and extremely moving and I can't recommend it enough. I especially enjoyed the letters to the deathwalkers (those contemplating suicide), to the johns and to JK Rowling and prompts that follow each letter that ask the reader to take various actions or reflect on different parts of themselves.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This is a book I will be buying to keep on my forever shelf and raving about to everyone I know! A MUST READ of 2023!!...more
This is Terry Fallis at the top of his game! I absolutely loved this latest from a great Canadian talent, that features Jack, a middle-aged man still This is Terry Fallis at the top of his game! I absolutely loved this latest from a great Canadian talent, that features Jack, a middle-aged man still grieving the loss of his beloved wife who died suddenly and alone at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto.
Told with empathy, grace and of course, his trademark humor, this is a story about fathers and sons, an ode to 1920s Paris, finding love again and embracing life with passion. I loved the relationship between Jack and his son, Jack's ball hockey family and the way he finds the courage to take a trip to Paris he meant to go on with his wife but never did.
While in Paris Jack meets Calla, a British artist with a unique connection to the 'Lost Generation' of American writers and artists who flourished at that time. Their friendship develops quickly and the two bond over shared interests, ultimately falling in love.
Beautifully written, this is a story of hope and love with a fun historical mystery thrown in too. I HIGHLY recommend listening to this on audio as its both read by the author AND includes original performances of songs he's written over the years that play a key part of the story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This may just be my new favorite by Fallis, although Angus will forever have a place in my heart!! ...more
A pandemic collaboration between several best-selling authors set in New York city during the first fourteen days of lockdown. I really enjoyed this sA pandemic collaboration between several best-selling authors set in New York city during the first fourteen days of lockdown. I really enjoyed this series of interconnected short stories that involve the residents of one building and their new building superintendent. All were interesting and I couldn't have identified their authors if I tried. Great on audio and highly recommended (unless reading about pandemic life is still too raw). ...more
This was a fascinating historical fiction account of the work that went behind finding a polio vaccine told from the perspective of Dorothy Horstmann,This was a fascinating historical fiction account of the work that went behind finding a polio vaccine told from the perspective of Dorothy Horstmann, one of the women who played a key role in helping beat the virus.
Set in the 1940s and 50s, we get a really good sense of the sexism of the medical community at the time and how urgent finding a vaccine was, particularly the risks that went into the work as the world was gripped in yet another pandemic!
Great on audio narrated by Hillary Huber and recommended for fans of books like The lobotomist's wife by Samantha Greene Woodruff or Her hidden genius by Marie Benedict. A perfect read for Women's history month too!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review....more
This was a really well-written and researched historical fiction novel focused on the lives of Chinese noncombatant laborers who were sent to Europe dThis was a really well-written and researched historical fiction novel focused on the lives of Chinese noncombatant laborers who were sent to Europe during WWI. I learned a lot reading this book and highly recommend paying attention to the author's note included at the end. The narration by Katharine Chin, Saskia Maarleveld and James Chen was fantastic too. Historical fiction fans don't want to miss this one with an incredible cast of memorable characters! Recommended for fans of Lisa See. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review....more
This was my first book by new to me author Cathleen Shine and it was epic and unforgettable! Featuring 93-year-old Mamie Künstler, we get to know whatThis was my first book by new to me author Cathleen Shine and it was epic and unforgettable! Featuring 93-year-old Mamie Künstler, we get to know what her life was like immigrating to Venice, California from Vienna during WWII as a Jewish refugee.
Told through flashbacks as she shares her life story with her grandson, Julian, who is staying with Mamie during the COVID-19 lockdown. I really enjoyed the intergenerational friendship and reading about such a strong, interesting older woman protagonist!
Give us more books about fascinating older women please! This was also great as an audiobook narrated by Jesse Vilinsky! Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Librofm for the early ALC in exchange for my honest review! Recommended for fans of The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo....more
A queer YA coming of age/first love story set during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. I really enjoyed the fat representation in this book wA queer YA coming of age/first love story set during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. I really enjoyed the fat representation in this book with the protagonist, the way she explores her bisexuality and the challenges that lockdown caused for teens still trying to maintain connections (especially those living in households with high-risk family members). This may be a hard read for some not ready to read about pandemic topics but I thought it was really well done and relatable. Great on audio too, written by a new to me Canadian author!...more
A moving, honest and heartfelt queer coming of age graphic memoir about a Chinese American girl born in Wuhan, China who grew up in Texas and only fouA moving, honest and heartfelt queer coming of age graphic memoir about a Chinese American girl born in Wuhan, China who grew up in Texas and only found herself after she graduated college and moved to San Francisco for work. Tender and unflinchingly honest, the author doesn't shy away from anti-Asian racism, the challenges of pleasing first generation Chinese parents and the extra burdens of life in America during/post COVID. Full of great artwork, this was perfect for fans of books like Almost American girl by Robin Ha....more
A really entertaining memoir about Melissa Gilbert's time just before and during the pandemic as she meets a new man, gets married, moves to a house iA really entertaining memoir about Melissa Gilbert's time just before and during the pandemic as she meets a new man, gets married, moves to a house in the country, deals with chronic pain and learns to appreciate the simpler things in life.
I really enjoyed hearing how passionate she is about politics and veterans (she ran for Congress but had to quit because of her health). She talks about the pain of learning about a parent's suicide late in life and the pressure to maintain Hollywood beauty standards as aging actress (among other things). Very relatable and heartfelt and great on audio read by Melissa herself, with a foreword by her husband....more
Who knew I would love a book about buttons SO SO SO SO much??? Not me, that's who. This was another HUGE win from Viola Shipman - easily an auto-buy aWho knew I would love a book about buttons SO SO SO SO much??? Not me, that's who. This was another HUGE win from Viola Shipman - easily an auto-buy author for me.
I don't know what it is about Shipman's writing style but reading her books for me is like getting a giant hug every time! Her newest is no exception and I was absolutely absorbed in the Michigan lake town vibes as Sutton returns to her mother's roots trying to learn more about her past in the wake of her death.
Shipman's characters are always so layered and REAL for me and Sutton in particular had my whole heart right from the beginning. A middle-aged woman who loses her mother during the pandemic, Sutton digs into her mother's mysterious past trying to uncover a connection she always felt was missing. Along the way she befriends Bonnie, a rich matriarch with a secrets of her own.
A designer by trade, Sutton had been laid off during the pandemic and decides to strike off on her own. With Bonnie's patronage and a new romantic interest, Sutton finds much to keep her tied to the Michigan beach town.
Full of interesting historical facts, compelling characters, a sweet mid-life romance and incredibly memorable characters, this story grabbed me from the start and I didn't want it to end.
Highly, highly recommended if you're looking for the perfect un-putdownable summer beach read with the perfect amount of family drama.
Much thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I will forever be a Viola Shipman fan and if you aren't yet you are missing out!!...more
I really enjoyed this historical fiction book set in Denver during the early 20th century. My first Sandra Dallas book, this story had it all:
- strongI really enjoyed this historical fiction book set in Denver during the early 20th century. My first Sandra Dallas book, this story had it all:
- strong female characters - bootleggers - murder - WWI - the Spanish flu pandemic - beautiful sisterhood relationships - love, loss and a happily ever after
Perfect for fans of Bluebird by Genevieve Graham, The orphan collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman or As bright as heaven by Susan Meissner. Great on audio too narrated by Carly Robins. This story kept me interested right to the end and is one I will happily recommend! Much thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my advance review copies!
An entertaining YA pandemic thriller set in a fictional detention center for troubled youth. Told from multiple POVs, we get to see many different perAn entertaining YA pandemic thriller set in a fictional detention center for troubled youth. Told from multiple POVs, we get to see many different perspectives as these teens band together, setting aside differences in order to survive when the town (and world) abandons them. I really loved that one of the characters was trans/nonbinary and another was deaf. There's also a great author's note included at the end of the book with links to other resources and stories told from authors of color and the American incarceration system....more
Told in the style of a series of interconnected short stories. This latest book by Canadian Emily St. John Mandel jumps all over the place timeline wiTold in the style of a series of interconnected short stories. This latest book by Canadian Emily St. John Mandel jumps all over the place timeline wise from early 20th century to the year 2401. Fans of The glass hotel will enjoy some returning characters and links to that story. This one is very pandemic centric and meta. You can tell this was written during lockdown/with the covid pandemic in mind. It was a little too sci-fi/disjointed for my tastes personally. The time travel aspects didn't really do it for me.
I absolutely loved Station Eleven and I just haven't felt that same magic in any of the author's subsequent books. True fans will recognize a similar style but this one was kind of a miss for me. My favorite story was the 1912 plot about an English third son who is disillusioned with the world and gets sent to Canada in exile. Great on audio with a full cast of narrators. Much thanks to NetGalley and Libro.fm for my advance copies....more
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