Bookfrogs and Mystery

Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew J. Sullivan

4.5 stars

Lydia works at the Bright Ideas bookstore and feels a special affinity for all of its bookfrogs, a group of downtrodden people who spend their days among the stacks of books.  One evening, Lydia finds one of her favorite bookfrogs has just committed suicide with a familiar photograph in his pocket; photograph that he has no possible reason to be in possession of, which sets off Lydia on a journey into her very violent past.  I was completely astonished by this book and the level of suspense and twists that I didn’t at all see coming.  I enjoy books that take me by surprise and are well written and this is both.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.   

November Romance Wrap Up

No Other Duke Will Do by Grace Burrowes

4 stars

Julian, Duke of Haveford, lives in a grand Welsh castle but is effectively broke.  When his sister throws an expensive house party to attract spouses for them both, he is sure no one will want an insolvent duke.  Elizabeth comes from a ducal family and has so far managed to continue her spinster ways until she realizes that her strong, practical personality may be just what Julian needs.  This is written more in the vein of Georgette Heyer than modern historical romances and is a joy to read.  I think many of the storylines continue throughout the series which is somewhat confusing at times but I loved all of the characters and side stories and look forward to the next in the series.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Enchanted by the Highlander by Lecia Cornwall

4 stars

This is a lovely fairytale of a romance taking place in Scotland.  John Early, banished from England, not accepted in Scotland. really has no hope of attracting a suitable bride so instead finds romance where he can.  Gillian is the shy, seemingly submissive daughter of a huge family who everyone believes needs a strong Scottish husband to protect her.  When she and John meet, the attraction is instant, but the circumstances are not ideal.  What follows is the story of one woman coming into herself and finding her strength and one man determining that he is actually good enough to belong somewhere.  This is an incredibly sweet story that’s only fault lies in trying to include so much adventure that it becomes somewhat repetitive.  Regardless, I liked the writing and the characters so much that I look forward to reading more by this author.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Falling for Mr. Wright by Robyn Neeley

3.5 stars

Sarah and Ryan are office friends who have never tried to take their relationship further.  When Sarah convinces Ryan to help win over her boss, and his best friend, Ryan has to decide if he is okay with the outcome.  This is a cute friends to lovers story (really the only contemporary romance plot that I seem to enjoy) and while the rampant unprofessionalism involved bothered me a little, it was still fun to read.  I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Crazy Kind of Love by Mary Ann Marlowe

3 stars

Jo is working as a tabloid photographer even though she has no interest in celebrity and is actually pretty bad at it.  She happens to attract the attention of a musician one day and it turns her life upside down.  I thought this was completely entertaining but I have to admit it was hard rooting for a tabloid photographer, regardless of her dreams,  background and awesome best friend.   Also, Micah was sort of a cookie-cutter character and I think more could have been done regarding his background, which really interesting and could have been delved into further.  I do think I missed a lot by not reading the prior book in the series, though, so that may have affected my opinion of this book.  I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Exciting Space Writing

Endurance:  A Year in Space, a Lifetime of Discovery by Scott Kelly

4.5 stars

This book proves that space travel can be just as exciting nonfiction as fiction and Scott Kelly does a fantastic job of describing his journey to becoming one of two astronauts staying at the International Space Station (ISS) for an entire year.  His narrative alternates between his experiences during the year in the ISS and his long road to becoming an astronaut.  Using simple language, this is an inspiring story of turning your life around in order to meet your goals and always saying yes to challenging adventures.  At times, I will admit that the details become repetitive but it was all so entirely interesting that I never really minded.  I have read three books this year by modern astronauts and they have amazingly all been different and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.  I received this book from the BookishFirst program in exchange for an honest review. 

Space Warriors

Nyxia by Scott Reintgen
4 stars



A group of teens are selected to travel on a mysterious mission to a mysterious planet to mine a mysterious substance.  What they find, once on board the luxurious ship, is that not everyone will be chosen to go to the new planet and they are forced to compete in odd virtual games with complicated scoring involved in order to secure their position. This is a thoroughly enjoyable young adult space travel series with interesting characters and a premise that promises to keep delivering.  The competitions do at times get repetitive but I liked the interesting perspectives on teamwork and leadership that are at the forefront of each one.  Overall, this is a series that I will definitely revisit.  I received a copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. 

Thanksgiving Review

Bonfire by Kristin Ritter
4 stars



Abby hasn't returned to her small Indiana town in years and when she does it is as a lawyer investigating the biggest corporation in town and their unethical practices.  As she delves into one mystery she reexamines the disappearance of her best frenemy and reopens old wounds.  This is definitely an entertaining book and while it wasn't necessarily a twisty thriller, I didn't figure out was going on until the very end.  This may be picky but you could tell the author didn't do very much research into location because there were several cringe-worthy mistakes regarding Indiana (but probably only a Hoosier would pick up on those).  Otherwise, I thought this an entertaining and readable debut.  I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. 

Moon Dance

Artemis by Andy Weir
3 stars



I went into this book with high expectations and excitement, and while this is a perfectly entertaining novel, it didn't come close in my estimation to the fast-paced, survivalist action of the Martian.  Jazz is a super intelligent young woman living in Artemis, the first city on the moon.  She is obsessed with making money and goes from one heist to another, avoiding police and her father.  Involvement with a huge corporation and the Brazilian mafia soon puts her in over her head and she is forced to work with a motley group pulled together in order to save her city.  Jazz has a very similar snarky attitude to the Martian's Mark Watney but it just doesn't gel as well with her personality and this situation.  This book also includes science overload with description of life on the moon both fascinating and incredibly dull.  I still have high hopes for future space novels from Weir, but this probably won't rank as a favorite.  I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Monday Review

Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977-2002
by David Sedaris
4 stars



I guess it is no surprise that David Sedaris kept diligent and hilarious diaries but it is somewhat surprising how much I enjoyed reading them.  Normally author diaries are something that I dip in and out of, eventually discarding because really how interesting can another person's day to day life actually be, but I found myself compulsively reading this from beginning to end.  Sedaris has dry wit and notes funny observations about the people and conversations he experiences each day.  Spanning decades and continents, this is one diary definitely worth reading.  I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

An Irish Lifetime

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
5 stars



I thought about not giving this five stars, because it's definitely not a perfectly written book, but then I remembered all of the hours that I spent immersed in, obsessed with and besotted by this massive novel.  Cyril Avery was born to a sixteen year old unwed mother who left him in the care of a nun who later left him with his unusual adoptive parents.  His childhood and adolescence in Ireland is colored by his sexual identity and the shadow of the Catholic church.  The novel follows his entire life as people come into and out of his life, as he makes terrible decisions and deals with tragedy.  It is deep, heartbreaking and beautifully humorous.  It is a book that I will think about for years to come and will probably return to when I want to immerse myself in the tragedy and beauty of one person's life.  I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Russian Magic

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed the first book in the Winternight Trilogy, The Bear and the Nightingale, but I loved this book even more.  Vasya has fled her family home after a tragedy and has struck off on her own as a traveler.  She is older, wiser, stronger and even braver than before as she seeks freedom from those who call her a witch and expect her to marry.  The writing is beautiful and the descriptions are breathtaking while the characters are strong yet flawed.   The elements of historical Russia are perfectly interspersed with magical elements.  It is not often that the second book is better than the first, but this one definitely is and I cannot wait for the last in the trilogy.  I received this book from Bookish First in exchange for an honest review.  

Thinking in the Online World

How to Think:  A Survival Guide for a World at Odds by Alan Jacobs

4 stars

A book this dense with gathered knowledge could only work at a short length, which is what Alan Jacobs has done.  This looks at how we make judgements in a world where people can act anonymously in 140 characters segments.  Culling examples and knowledge from sources current and ancient, Jacobs comes up with a manual with great advice on how we can interact both personally and online with people who share different beliefs.  This is especially important in our current political climate where two sides refuse to bend to the other in any form.  I mostly agree with everything this book is trying to suggest, and found this a good primer for deeper books on decision-making.  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. 

Life in Orbit

Ask an Astronaut:  My Guide to Life in Space by Tim Peake

4 stars

Tim Peake spent six months in the International Space Station and decided to ask the public for questions regarding his experience.  This book is a collection of those questions along with his very detailed answers.  For anyone with a basic interest in current-day space travel, this book provides a wealth of information from the very beginning of launch to the aftereffects of living in microgravity.  Tim Peake answers questions with a good mix of expertise and humor and provides a clear argument for the importance of a continuing Space Station.  I especially enjoyed the photgraphs at the end and the illustrations throughout.  I, at times, found the Q & A format a burden and would have rather read a straight memoir of his experiences but, overall, I liked this exploration of life in low orbit.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Weekend Review

Lies Jane Austen Told Me by Julie Wright

Publication Date - November 7, 2017

3.5 stars

Emma is a star manager at a fitness company whose love life takes a dive when she discovers her boyfriend preparing a quiet dinner for another woman.  Enter her boyfriend’s brother, Lucas, who escorts her home after the disastrous evening and ends up as her company’s newest consultant.  Lucas’s interesting past and their undeniable chemistry complicates Emma’s life and makes her reevaluate all of the lessons gleaned from her beloved Jane Austen novels.  This is a mild romance novel with the character’s dealing with some deeper and important issues.  I felt that Emma’s inner dialogue was occasionally repetitive which made reading tedious at times, but overall, this was a quick, sweet read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Friday Review

The Senator’s Children by Nicholas Montemarano

Publication Date:  November 7, 2017

4 stars

David Christie is an up and coming politician with an intelligent wife and two children, Betsy and Nick.  While campaigning for Senator, tragedy strikes and changes the trajectory of his career and personal life.  I found this book extremely well written and the different ways that the character’s lives intersected and affected each other was fascinating.  I thought the character’s behavior and actions both repugnant, yet understandable at the same time.  The plot did jump around in both time and in plot points that took away from the interesting aspects of the character studies, but overall it is a thoroughly enjoyable book.  I received a copy of this book from Tin House Books in exchange for an honest review. 

Midweek Reviews

Love, Africa: a Memoir of Romance, War and Survival

By Jeffrey Gettleman

4 stars

Jeffrey Gettleman has served as the New York Times East Africa correspondent for almost a decade.  During that time he has covered war, famine, dirty elections and disease.  This memoir covers his start as a journalist and his long time obsession with East Africa.  He gives a nuanced overview of the issues faced by the continent, the irresponsible way the U.S. interferes and the lasting effects of colonialism while also detailing his long, complicated romance with his wife.  As a person, he is not always likable (something he admits to several times) but as a writer on Africa, he is spot on.  I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Give a Girl a Knife by Amy Thielen

3.5 stars

Amy Thielen grew up in northern Minnesota with a mother who took pride in her culinary skills.  Later as the author rotated through the kitchens of some of New York City’s finest restaurants, she reflected often on the Midwestern foods of her youth.  I thought it extremely interesting that regions can have culinary traditions so imbedded that we often don’t consider them until we leave that region.  This memoir often skips around in time and could have been shortened due to repetitions, but overall this is a wonderful tribute to the food we grow up eating.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.