Well, this was better than I expected. I chose this book (or rather it was chosen for me), because I was supposed to have read this for a book club thWell, this was better than I expected. I chose this book (or rather it was chosen for me), because I was supposed to have read this for a book club that took place last week. Suffice to say, I unfortunately never finished the book in time for book club ...more
This was just what the doctor ordered! After reading a few duds prior to this book, I was very happy with this lighthearted read about a crime solvingThis was just what the doctor ordered! After reading a few duds prior to this book, I was very happy with this lighthearted read about a crime solving mother-daughter-granddaughter trio. This was also Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club pick for September, 2023. So I must thank Reese’s Book Club for this great pick as well! ...more
Well this book took me way longer to read than expected… This was another book that I had high hopes for as I loved Patchett’s “The Dutch House”. ThisWell this book took me way longer to read than expected… This was another book that I had high hopes for as I loved Patchett’s “The Dutch House”. This book is also set in northern Michigan, and I am a true Michigander- I’ve lived in Michigan all my life, so I really thought that I would love this book even more. One of the characters even attended college at Michigan State, where my son is currently a freshman- so I thought I would really resonate with this book. Unfortunately, this book fell very flat for me. I almost gave up on “Tom Lake” several times. However, the last 100 pages or so redeemed themselves and I stuck with it.
This story takes place in the Spring of 2020 during the pandemic. Lara’s three daughters have come back home to the family farm/cherry orchard. During this time Lara begins to tell her daughters about the time she spent a summer with a famous actor named Peter Duke, at a theater called Tom Lake. During this summer Lara was only 24 years old, never married and her daughters had not yet been born.
During this summer between Lara and Peter Duke, they were in a play called Our Town and Lara played Emily. Lara and Duke were a hot item, and then a sudden turn of events happened and they went their separate ways. Lara decided not to continue with acting, but Duke rose to stardom. Lara’s three daughters are infatuated with Peter Duke, especially her oldest daughter Emily.
So yeah… this was a decent enough story, but I think that I was expecting so much more. I mean I think we could all write a book about some of our crazy, wild love affairs that we had when we were younger (and some would be way more entertaining than this story). If I’m being honest, this book was a bit of a snooze fest ...more
So here’s another book that I was leery about reading due to all the mixed reviews- BUT I am so glad that I picked it up because I actually enjoyed thSo here’s another book that I was leery about reading due to all the mixed reviews- BUT I am so glad that I picked it up because I actually enjoyed this book. Yes, the back and forth chapters between present day and seven years ago was a bit confusing (I had to read on, before I could say- Oh, we’re back here again…). However, the storyline held my interest because it’s very different from the usual psychological thrillers that I read with the unreliable narrator.
Our unreliable narrator in this story is Maya. Maya has been addicted to Klonopin and alcohol for the past several years. Maya no longer has her Klonopin, and is experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Some of the withdrawal symptoms are paranoia, hallucination, and insomnia.
One night while not being able to sleep, Maya witnesses a woman drop dead in front of her ex boyfriend on a YouTube video. This is very strange, as her best friend, Aubrey, suddenly died in front of this same ex boyfriend, named Frank.
After watching the video, Maya leaves her present boyfriend, Dan behind to go back home and try to piece together what happened with the girl in the video and Frank. Maya also wants to find closure on what happened to her friend, Aubrey from seven years ago.
Back home Maya starts to remember her father and his Guatemalan roots. She thinks about the book he started to write, and how she used to translate the words to English. I enjoyed learning about the history of Guatemala, and I did see how it became useful in the story.
I did not expect this book to end the way it did, but I really enjoyed the little surprise. If you are on the fence about reading this book, I say give it a shot! This was a Reese Witherspoon book club pick for January 2023, and it did not disappoint. ...more
A couple of things before I get into my review. First off, I just read the updated tenth-anniversary edition of this book, which features six new coluA couple of things before I get into my review. First off, I just read the updated tenth-anniversary edition of this book, which features six new columns and an updated cover. Secondly, this is a Reese Witherspoon book club pick for November, 2022 (and it did not disappoint). And lastly, Tiny Beautiful Things is going to be made into a Hulu television series airing in 2023, and I cannot wait!! Woo-Hoo! ...more
After seeing so many raving reviews for this book, and because it was a Reese Witherspoon book club pick for December 2022, I decided to give this booAfter seeing so many raving reviews for this book, and because it was a Reese Witherspoon book club pick for December 2022, I decided to give this book a chance. This is one book that I am so glad that I did. This was such a nice break from the monotony of thrillers that I have been reading. I will admit I was hesitant, as reading about an arranged marriage in the 1550’s didn’t seem all that appealing to me. But trust me- you will feel as if you are living through the pages with this book. It was captivating!
The Marriage Portrait is based on the story of Lucrezia de Medici. From the day Lucrezia was conceived, her parents and siblings felt there was something wrong with her. They felt as if Lucrezia didn’t belong, she was known as the troublesome fifth child. Lucrezia could sense things, could read a room, and had a very keen eye…
Lucrezia’s parents sent her off to marry when she was only 15 years old, and her husband- Alfonso II, was 27 years old. She begged for this marriage not to take place, but because of Alfonso’s status as the Duke, they sent her away anyway.
Although Lucrezia was young, she did not feel that Alfonso’s love towards her was real like that of her parents. Lucrezia was not allowed to question things, and she was often left alone. I believe Alfonso’s true character was given when he sent Lucrezia a bridal gift (before the marriage took place). Alfonso broke tradition somewhat by sending Lucrezia a painting of a stone marten (a weasel). Perhaps that was his way of letting her know that he was a weasel himself (we all know how much people love to show their true colors).
Once married, Alfonso insists that a professional marriage portrait be taken of Lucrezia. She must pose in fancy gowns and jewels. Will this portrait be the last memory of Lucrezia?
I highly recommend reading this book! So very rewarding and memorable. However, I cannot give this book five stars because of the super long chapters (sorry, but it’s a major pet peeve of mine), and it did tend to get quite ‘wordy’ and drag on through some parts. Regardless, you will find this author is quite brilliant and I am looking forward to reading more from her in the future. ...more
(3.5 stars). I finished reading this book last night, but wanted to think about it a little bit more before I wrote my review. It’s weird because as I(3.5 stars). I finished reading this book last night, but wanted to think about it a little bit more before I wrote my review. It’s weird because as I was reading this book, I was extremely bored with it and couldn’t wait for it to be over. Then as I finished it, I sat and thought about it and seemed to like the message and the book a bit more. Therefore, I bumped my rating up just a tad to what originally would have been three stars.
This book starts off with a terrible crime being committed. Our main character, Jen, goes back in time to try to stop this crime that was committed by her son Todd. During this long process of going backward in time, we learn of how Jen met her husband Kelly. We then go back days, weeks, months, even years to see how this terrible crime came to be.
What I liked about this book was the fact that every time a horrible situation happens, or a relationship ends or goes sour, we always seem to sit back and reflect on all the red flags and clues that were right in front of our face. We didn’t see these red flags at the time because we either didn’t want to see them, or we were so in love it didn’t matter. Whatever the case, they are always there. Some of my favorite lines from the book are “How sinister it is to relive your life backward. To see things you hadn’t at the time. To realize the horrible significance of events you had no idea we’re playing out around you”. (p.184)
As I said, this book definitely gives you something to think about. This was also a Reese Witherspoon book club pick for August 2022, so it’s very popular! Give this book a shot, as you just might be the right reader at the right time. ...more
Going into this book I knew that it was a YA read- in fact it was Reese Witherspoon’s Winter 2022 YA pick (yes, Reese made me read this-Lol). I have tGoing into this book I knew that it was a YA read- in fact it was Reese Witherspoon’s Winter 2022 YA pick (yes, Reese made me read this-Lol). I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. In fact, the storyline held my interest more than some of the “adult” books that I’ve read lately.
Anatomy is described as a gothic love story. I honestly didn’t feel that this story was very “dark” or gothic. I feel that the setting and characters were described perfectly to go along with the story. I loved the character of Hazel Sinnett, and I feel that most women will resonate with her (although back in the late 1800’s, women were not allowed to act or be like Hazel).
Before reading this story, I never knew of or even heard of resurrectionists, but apparently it’s a real thing. I learned quite a bit reading this story. I am so happy that I took a chance on reading this book. Oh, and have you had a chance to look at the beautiful cover for this book?! It’s amazingly beautiful!
I highly recommend reading this book, whether you are a teenager or a grown adult as I am- trust me, you will enjoy the ‘anatomy’ of this book ;)...more
I feel so bad for this rating, as I really wanted to love this book and I had extremely high expectations for it. This was Reese Witherspoon’s Book ClI feel so bad for this rating, as I really wanted to love this book and I had extremely high expectations for it. This was Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club pick for April 22’, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I do not know much about the deaf community, and I was hoping that True Biz would help me understand what they go through and what it is like.
Unfortunately this book seems to be written for teenagers (maybe if it was labeled as a YA book, my expectations may have been different going into it). And while I did learn quite a bit about sign language and the different forms of it, the storyline itself was trying to be too political to get any real understanding or even compassion for any of the characters and what life with a hearing disability is like. Like I said, I feel like a heartless person but I did not care for any of the characters (except Elliot).
This book was also rather long. It took me a week to read True Biz because I just couldn’t get into it (and I usually finish a book within three days). I did however enjoy the author’s note at the end of the book. This book ended up not being my cup of tea, but going by other reviews it worked for a lot of people. So, I may or may not have the unpopular opinion…...more
(3.5 stars). What words come to mind after reading The Club by Ellery Lloyd? Why that would be scandal, deceit, manipulation, bribery, devious… do you(3.5 stars). What words come to mind after reading The Club by Ellery Lloyd? Why that would be scandal, deceit, manipulation, bribery, devious… do you get the picture yet? This book was quite scandalous to say the least!
I ended up enjoying this book more than I originally thought that I would. I chose to read this because it was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick for March 2022 (here I go again with the Reese book club picks ...more
Lots of thoughts on this book… I’ll start with the fact that I read The Mystery of Mrs. Christie ~ by Marie Benedict last year, and I absolutely adoreLots of thoughts on this book… I’ll start with the fact that I read The Mystery of Mrs. Christie ~ by Marie Benedict last year, and I absolutely adored that book! It was very hard for me not to compare the two books, even though The Christie Affair is more or less about Nan, who is the mistress to Agatha Christie’s husband, Archie.
Truth be told, I was on Team Agatha from the get go. So reading this book it was extremely hard for me to feel any emotion or compassion for that of Nan, the mistress. Nan’s troubled past didn’t make me like her more. In fact, I think Nan made some bad choices into her adult years. Nan had a man who loved her deeply (and she supposedly loved him deeply), but she still wanted Agatha Christie’s husband…
I also feel that this book was drawn out a little bit. I don’t know… I probably wasn’t the right reader for this book to begin with, but as I’ve mentioned before I am in a love/hate relationship with Reese Witherspoon and her book club picks, so here I am.
If you do not know anything about Agatha Christie’s disappearance, or haven’t read any other books or articles about it, then I think that this may be a great book to start with. ...more
I probably would have liked this book more had I not read Of Women And Salt ~ by Gabriela Garcia, last year. It was very hard not to compare the two bI probably would have liked this book more had I not read Of Women And Salt ~ by Gabriela Garcia, last year. It was very hard not to compare the two books considering they were both written in a very similar fashion, and both books jumped around all over the place between different characters and time frames. With that being said, Infinite Country fell very short of the high pedestal that I put Of Women And Salt on (in fact, if you haven’t read that book I highly suggest that you do).
Infinite Country definitely contained some very strong points about immigration and wanting a better life. I also feel for families that do get separated. But in this story (without giving anything away), I think I questioned Elena’s decisions from the very beginning.
All in all, this was a decent read. It was also a fairly quick read. I do recommend this book to those that like getting a new and different perspective and point of view on things. But- if you’re like me and really enjoyed Of Women And Salt, this may fall flat for you. ...more
I’m going right down the middle with my three star rating for this book. While the book held my interest and kept me turning pages fast enough, I’m stI’m going right down the middle with my three star rating for this book. While the book held my interest and kept me turning pages fast enough, I’m still left a little underwhelmed with the whole story. This story felt too rushed and convoluted for me.
Northern Spy gives you a glimpse into the violence in Northern Ireland, and what the IRA members were and what they did. You also have a little glimpse of the informers. Also at the center of this story is that of two sisters Tessa and Marian. If I’m being honest, I don’t think either one of these two individuals made good choices. Especially that of Tessa- I feel that she made hasty decisions and worried more about her sister than newborn son. I don’t have any sisters, so maybe my thoughts on this are not right.
I may not have even chosen this book to read, but because I’m in a love/hate relationship with Reese Witherspoon and her book club picks, I gave this a go. This book was okay, but I’ll probably forget all about it by weeks end. This book was not one of my favorites from Reese’s book club picks....more
I LOVE this book! This was Reese Witherspoon’s book club pick for January 22’, and she nailed it with this pick. It’s going to be real hard for me to I LOVE this book! This was Reese Witherspoon’s book club pick for January 22’, and she nailed it with this pick. It’s going to be real hard for me to find a book that even comes close to the greatness of Honor.
This book was heartbreaking, infuriating, and even a bit exciting all at the same time. There is so much that goes on in the world regarding social injustices and prejudices, and I feel so oblivious just sitting around in my little bubble- almost clueless (and yet so protected and so free). My eyes have definitely been opened regarding how some countries are not as advanced as we are here in the USA - in the case of this book, India. This book was also a reminder of the different cultures, customs, and religions that others practice.
I also have to say that I loved the descriptions of all the characters. I felt I was able to visualize each person, and I knew each one’s personality- whether it was good or not. The towns and cities were described so well, I felt as if I was actually there in Mumbai.
If you only read one book this year, then please read Honor by Thrity Umrigar. I found this book to be outstanding! One of my favorites thus far....more
While this was a good book, I didn’t seem to love it like everybody else did. The writing was beautiful, and I do have a quote that I copied to remembWhile this was a good book, I didn’t seem to love it like everybody else did. The writing was beautiful, and I do have a quote that I copied to remember~ “Humans are strange that way, full of contradictions. It’s as if they need to hate and exclude as much as they need to love and embrace. Their hearts close tightly, then open at full stretch, only to clench again, like an undecided fist.”
As much as I loved the writing, I often became a little bored throughout the story. I did learn a lot about the Turks and Greeks in a war between themselves which I never knew about. I also found the information about fig trees and all other forms of plant life and nature so very interesting. I think if this book would have focused more on the lives of Kostas and Defne, I probably would have enjoyed it more. I feel that their love story- filled with loss, grief, and division was a story all of its own. Yes, the nature aspects were beautiful, but it only held my attention for so long.
This was a Reese Witherspoon book pick, and while so many others have loved this book, I say give it a shot because you may find something that you love more than I did in this book. ...more
I’ve just finished reading this book, and I’m honestly still not sure how I feel, so please just take my rating and review with a grain of salt.
There I’ve just finished reading this book, and I’m honestly still not sure how I feel, so please just take my rating and review with a grain of salt.
There were quite a few things that I did enjoy about this book. I especially resonated with the character of Eva, as I too suffer from migraines and chronic pain. Unless you’ve experienced these symptoms yourself, you will probably never understand them. I also liked the chapters that detailed the past and younger years of both Eva and Shane.
What I didn’t care for were the detailed sex scenes. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve become quite the prude the older I get, so there’s that. I’m also not real big on romance books, so what do I know?
As this is a very highly rated and well loved book, I do recommend it as you may find it more appealing than I did.
Five Amazing Stars!! This is the first book that I have ever read that has left me with goosebumps at the end. I literally felt everything. I was hypnoFive Amazing Stars!! This is the first book that I have ever read that has left me with goosebumps at the end. I literally felt everything. I was hypnotized by the author’s writing, and this book could have been 2000 pages and it still wouldn’t have been long enough. This may be my favorite book of 2021. I say to go into this book blind, and then read the first paragraph of the author’s acknowledgments at the end of the story. Everything will fall into place so perfectly. Absolute perfection! ...more
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