Exciting Fantasy Series

Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard
Publication Date - February 12, 2019
4 stars



This is more of a series review then for just this book.  Centering on witches that contain specific powers, this series is fast paced and full of complicated and interesting characters.  The writing is good and the world-building starts off vague but only because she is taking her time with the history and explanation of place and magic.  My only real issue with the books so far is that it too quickly moves between the different characters narratives and it was hard to get into each scene.  I’m hoping that since some of the characters reunited at the end end that this won’t be as big an issue in future books.  This is definitely a series that I will continue to read.  I was fortunate to receive the first three books from this series for free from the BookishFirst program in exchange for an honest review. 

Beautifully Illustrated Graphic Novel

Book Love by Debbie Tung

Publication Date - January 1, 2019

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This delightful graphic novel about the joys of the reading life can be read in one setting.     It is completely relatable, but what I enjoyed most were the beautiful drawings.  The beautiful shades of some of the pages popped off the iPad in which I was reading it.  This is a book that I will buy on physical form and revisit often.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Friday Review

Three Little Words by Jenny Holiday
Publication Date - January 29, 2019
🌟🌟🌟



This was a light, fun romance to read around the holidays.  Gia is a model who is beginning to age out of the business who puts up a tough shell due to insecurity.  Bennett is a chef and Southern do-gooder with a tragic past.  I've read several books by this author and they are usually a major hit or a major miss but this one just falls somewhere in the middle.  I enjoyed the road-trip story but I never really liked Gia very much, even when she starts to open up more.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Sweet Christmas Romance

Deck the Halls (Darling, VT #3.5) by Donna Alward
🌟🌟🌟🌟



This is a sweetly moving novella about a formerly homeless vet who is just getting his life back on track and the sister of the best friend he lost in the Iraq War.  This is an insert into an already established series that I have not read but it didn't at all take away the enjoyment of reading.  If you looking for a sweet, quick holiday romance then this one is a pretty good choice.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 




Hope at Christmas by Nancy Naigle
🌟🌟🌟🌟



This was basically just a sugary, sweet Christmas story where a woman recovering from a cheating spouse moves her daughter to a lovely small town and everything pretty much goes her way from then on.  This may not be everyone's cup of tea, and normally it is not mine, but it's the holiday season and that's what books like this are made for.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Modern Update of a Russian Classic

With You in Paris by Clementine Beauvais

Publication Date – January 8, 2019

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Told in verse, this retelling of Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin, tells the story of the relationship between Tatiana and Eugene as teenagers and a decade later as young adults.  Eugene is the best friend of Tatiana’s sister’s boyfriend who lives next door.  Tatiana falls in love with him but Eugene is selfishly bored and slightly obnoxious and rejects her advances.  I have not read Pushkin’s classic but am familiar with the story and I felt this was a fairly good modernization.  I will say that the title and the cover are really not indicative of what you are getting into, so don’t be fooled into thinking this is a light, contemporary romance.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Wednesday Review

The Reluctant Duchess by Sharon Cullen
🌟🌟🌟🌟

Ross, Duke of Rossmoyne, lost his fiancé in a brutal murder a couple of years ago.  Now her cousin is at his door asking him to help her find the sender of some ominous letters.  Sara was orphaned at a young age and raised by her aunt and uncle and was very close to her murdered cousin.  This is a very sweet story and I like both of the characters and the added mystery.  I’ve read several books by this author and they are always reliably good.  I received a digital ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Analyzing the Election (2016)

The Great Revolt:  Inside the Populist Coalition Reshaping American Politics
by Salena Zito and Brad Todd
🌟🌟🌟1/2



I have read much about the outcome of the 2016 election but I'm not sure that I have read anything that clearly delves into why so many people voted for Barack Obama in one election and Donald Trump in the next.  As someone who lives in the Midwest, I know and understand these people (even if I don't necessarily agree) and I got a lot out of reading their perspective.  Because of its topic, it is definitely one sided and the quoted statistics become really repetitive, but I do think it is important to read and understand all sides.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Music Revisit

Reckless Daughter: a Portrait of Joni Mitchell by David Yaffe

🌟🌟🌟

                              

I have been in love with Joni Mitchell’s music since high school but have not read anything about her life.  She grew up in rural Canada and then spend much of her twenties ensconced in perhaps the coolest music scene ever.  You would think that would make for riveting reading but somehow this book fell flat for me.  Not to say that I didn’t enjoy parts of it but I think, for me, the analyzing of song lyrics just wasn’t all that interesting so it slowed down the reading experience.   The book did encourage me to revisit her music and I have been listening to all of my favorites.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Random Thanksgiving Reading

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
🌟🌟🌟1/2

Erin and Mark are successful newlyweds who go on a swanky honeymoon to Bora Bora and find something truly remarkable in the water during a diving expedition.  What they decide to do afterwards affects their actions and their relationship.  I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the pacing of this book.  The suspense, paranoia, and all of the side plots are interesting and well developed.  The main character, however, is so frustrating and makes the absolute worst decisions that it retracts from the overall good storytelling.  This would make a good movie, though, and although I haven’t researched, I’m sure it has already been optioned.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

The Beauties by Anton Chekhov
🌟🌟🌟🌟

I fear that I am not quite qualified to review a collection of Chekhov’s short stories.  They were a joy to read and while the setting is historical, some of the insights are still very relevant.  I initially received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley but bought the physical copy, which is beautifully compact. 

Using History to Give Hope for Today

The Soul of America: the Battle for Our Better Angels by Jon Meacham

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Touching on different periods in which America has struggled with racism, Antisemitism, hatred and division, Meacham uses history to show that we’ve faced difficult times before and will in the future.  If you read history books often, this will not be anything new but I suggest reading this book for the conclusion alone.  Thoughtful, hopeful and highly informative, I almost tore the conclusion out of my copy in order to staple and carry with me at all times (don’t worry, I didn’t mutilate my book.)  I initially received this book as a digital ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Reading for Healing

The Lost for Words Bookshop by Stephanie Butland

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Loveday arrived at the Lost for Words bookshop as a teenager with a prickly personality, a mysterious past, and a passion for losing herself in books.  Over the years, she formed a connection to the lively owner but still kept her past a secret.  When she meets a charismatic poet and begins to form deeper bonds with those around her, she must decide whether to confront the people and events of her childhood head on.  This ended up being a bit darker of a book than I thought, but that is okay.  While slow at times, it definitely captured the loneliness of the main character and the way reading can help you survive even the darkest of circumstances.  I’m really glad that I read this book.  I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Friday Review

My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren

Publication Date – December 4, 2018

🌟🌟1/2

                          

Reid and Millie are best friends who spend a steamy half-night together which improbably leads to them and their three other besties creating dating profiles to find dates to a gala.  Millie, though, decides to create two profiles.  One that is authentic yet superficial and one that is fake yet where she expresses more of herself.  This is my first book by Christina Lauren and while I thought the romance was well-written the plot itself just stressed me out.  I didn’t understand all of Millie’s issues and I cringed through much of the chapters told from her perspective.  I am not giving up completely on Christina Lauren’s books, but I thought this one was just okay.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Quickie Romance Reviews

Lord of Secrets by Erica Ridley
🌟🌟🌟1/2



I've read most of the books in this series and they are consistently well written with likable characters.  I definitely liked the romance between the scandal adverse heir and artistic farm girl but it got to a point near the end where the obstacle really seemed insurmountable and it honestly stressed me out enough to take me out of the story.  However, I liked this well enough and look forward to the next in the series.  I received a digital ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Captivating the Earl by Callie Hutton

Publication Date – November 12, 2018
🌟🌟🌟

                                       

Lizzie is the daughter of a traitor trying to hide on an Earl’s country estate as his children’s governess.  Hawk is the Earl’s cousin, tasked with bringing Lizzie to the home office for questioning.  This was a perfectly enjoyable historical romance with nice characters.  It wasn’t one to keep me up late obsessively reading but it was definitely good enough to finish.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

My One and Only Duke by Grace Burrowes

Publication Date - November 6, 2018

🌟🌟🌟1/2

Quinn came from rough circumstance and through hard work and perseverance became an extremely wealthy banker until he was charged with manslaughter and condemned to the gallows.  He meets Jane, the daughter of a troublesome prison chaplain, while awaiting his death.  In a last act of kindness, Quinn agrees to marry the pregnant Jane to give her the security of marriage to a wealthy (if executed) man.  When Quinn is granted clemency at the last possible moment, they are forced to come to terms with the fact that not only are they married, but are now titled peers.  I love the plot of this book and went into it with high expectations.  The characters are all likable and nicely quirky.  There is a lot of talk in this book and the steamy parts are glossed over quite a bit but overall I really enjoyed this historical romance.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Weekend Review

Elizabeth: the Forgotten Years by John Guy

🌟🌟🌟🌟

In my nearly impossible goal to read everything about the Tudors, I picked this book about the latter years of Elizabeth I reign.  There has been so much written about one of England’s longest running monarchs, but this one does an especially good job of humanizing and demystifying the so-called virgin queen.  She is portrayed as vain, petty and snobbish but also cautious and tactical.   She was forced to put her faith in men who had little faith in her ability as a woman to reign.  This is a compelling and readable account of an aging woman’s attempt to prove that a woman with no heirs could be a legendary monarch.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Important Non-Fiction

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

🌟🌟🌟🌟

The author wrote a blog post about why she decided to no longer talk to white people about race. It turns out that writing it made her talk A LOT more about race, enough that she turned it into a book.   I found the history of race relations in Great Britain to be informative because it is definitely not something you learn about in the U.S.  I also though the ending chapter about what white people can do to be really well-done.  This book is important and I am glad that it got the book press to support it.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Reading the Russians

The Anna Karenina Fix:  Life Lessons from Russian Literature

By Viv  Groskop

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Growing up the author looked at her unusual name and decided it may have a Russian origin.  Thus began her obsession with Russia, the language, the people and the books.  In each chapter she looks at one of the classic Russian works and talks about the author, it’s history and the lessons that can be learned from reading it.  She also intersperses the discussion with her own time in Russia and coming to terms with her own identity.  I really enjoyed this book.  It is humorous, fascinating and easily readable.  I have only read a couple of these books but it doesn’t matter and I now know which other works of Russian literature to add to my list.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Dolly's Lessons

The Faith of Dolly Parton:  Lessons From Her Life to Lift Your Heart
by Dudley Delffs
🌟🌟🌟



The author grew up in the same Eastern Tennessee region as Dolly Parton and felt a kinship to the entertainer.  In this short book he details aspects of Dolly's life in which her faith played a large part and then took those lessons and applied it to his own life.  This is a perfectly pleasant book and I love Dolly Parton so I definitely enjoyed reading it.  His praise of the singer becomes quite repetitive after a while, which is noticeable in this short of a book, but overall there were enough good tidbits to keep me reading.  I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Nonfiction Review

The War Before the War: Fugitive Slaves and the Struggle for America’s Soul from the Revolution to the Civil War

By Andrew Delbanco

Publication Date – November 6, 2018

🌟🌟🌟🌟1/2

During a time when the strife between the abolitionists in the North and the slaveholders in the South, the Fugitive Slave Act was meant to appease the latter to the moral outrage of the former.  As slaves escaped to the North, it became Federal Law that they must be apprehended and returned to the South.  This book posits that this began the march that ended in the Civil War.  To my mind, this extremely well-written and researched book does an excellent job in showing just how hard and long the politicians fought to keep the Union together despite the horrors of slave life and how even just a tiny twist of fate along the way would have had huge repercussions for slavery.  This is not always an easy book to read, as harrowing descriptions of violence against slaves and failed escape along with quotations filled with racism, hate and unwavering support for slavery (even from those that in retrospect are viewed in a sympathetic light) are difficult.  This is an important read, though, as we currently deal with deep political division along with speech filled with racism and hate.  It is important to remember where the precedent begins and the many steps and missteps our country has taken to lead us to the where we are now.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Weekend Review

A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne

Publication Date – November 13, 2018

🌟🌟🌟🌟1/2

Maurice Swift wants nothing more from his life than to be a famous and respected author and he will go to psychopathic lengths in order to obtain it.   Spanning decades, this book follows a fascinating slate of characters who have crossed paths with Maurice, along with a memorable chapter including Gore Vidal.  What I enjoy most about John Boyne’s books is that they are beautifully written without getting in the way because the story and characters are so strongly portrayed.   After reading this book, it is pretty much assured that I will pick up all future books by this author.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Friday Review

Crave: a Memoir of Food and Longing by Christine S. O'Brien
Publication Date - November 13, 2018
🌟🌟🌟🌟



Christine grew up in the home of an ABC executive father and a former farm girl/beauty pageant queen mother.  Her mother dealt with her bad-tempered husband by becoming obsessed with a "healthy" diet plan that included eating blended salad three times a day (I looked it up and it is a real thing).  This memoir could have easily veered into "woe is me" area but she balanced the bad parts of her childhood with memories of parents that obviously cared for the children despite their flaws.  At times her flowery descriptions were beautiful at other times, over-written but I do think this is a good addition to the genre of memoirs about unusual upbringings.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Fun Weekend Read

The Darkest Star (Origin #1) by Jennifer Armentrout
Publication Date - October 30, 2018
🌟🌟🌟🌟



I just love these alien love stories, and I couldn't even explain why.  I devoured Armentrout's previous series about the Luxen and was excited to see she has created as series surrounding Luc, one of the most intriguing side characters.  What I love about her books is that there is always an interesting plot, good side characters and sweet, angsty romances.  She's not the best at writing dialogue, it can sometimes veer into cheesy but it is a testament to her ability to write relationships that I kept obsessively reading this book.  I will definitely be following the release dates of the rest of the books in this series.  I received an early copy of this book via Bookish First in exchange for an honest review. 

Friday Reviews

The Invisible Emperor: Napoleon on Elba From Exile to Escape by Mark Braude
Publication Date - October 9, 2018
🌟🌟🌟🌟1/2



Who knew a book about Napoleon could be so entertaining.  I've not read much about the conquering Emperor so went into this pretty vague on background facts, however, it did not detract from my enjoyment of the material.  After the supposed end of the Napoleonic Wars, the allied powers were not sure what to do with Napoleon so they decided to exile his to the island of Elba.  There, he spend almost a year getting to know the locals, acting as regent and secretly scheming of a comeback.  Told in refreshingly short chapters, this books is immensely readable and engrossing.  I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed reading it.  I received a digital ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


Well-Red Black Girl: Finding our Stories, Discovering Ourselves, An Anthology
by Glory Edim
Publication Date - October 30, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟



This lovely collection of essays by Black women and the books that they grew up reading. Usually the first book that they actually saw themselves in the characters and not the school-sanctioned, all white classic novels.  These were delightful and served as a good reminder of why we read.  I read this in a digital ARC but I can only imagine that the finished physical copy is beautiful.  I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Fathers of the Irish Greats

Mad, Bad, Dangerous to Know:  The Fathers of Wilde, Yeats and Joyce
by Colm Toibin
Publication Date - October 30, 2018
🌟🌟🌟1/2



I picked this book up for two reasons, one is my love of Toibin's writing and the other is my love of Oscar Wilde's works.  This is a collection of essays about the fathers (and in relation, the mothers) of these famous Irish writers.  Toibin is himself, of course, a famous Irish writer and his love for the subject shines through.  There are many interesting stories of the men behind the men and they were often well-known for their own exploits.  At times, though, this is a slog to get through and I actually skimmed much of the introduction as it was mostly a rambling journey through the streets of Dublin and the writer's life there.  Overall, if you are a fan of these writers, than this is definitely a fascinating collection.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Phoebe and Marigold are Back!

Phoebe and Her Unicorn in Unicorn Theater by Dana Simpson
Publication Date -  October 23, 2018
🌟🌟🌟



I will always pick up new additions to this series.  They are so sweet, funny and well drawn.  This was not my favorite.  I think Marigold is perhaps growing too human and less unicorn, which is a shame as my favorite parts are when she scoffs at human traits.  I will keep reading them though, because they are quick and entertaining.  Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Exciting October Releases

The Library Book by Susan Orlean
Publication Date - October 16, 2018
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟



In 1986, the main branch of the Los Angeles Public Library caught fire, destroying hundred of thousands of books and necessitating an enormous renovation project.  The large fire happened at the same time as the Chernobyl crisis, thus was not widely covered at the time.  Susan Orlean recreates the events of the day and the following investigation, interspersed with the history of the library and its current status.  I loved this book as I think any bibliophile will.  It is beautifully written and always interesting.  This is my favorite of the October releases that I have read and may end of being in my top list for the year.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.



A Well Behaved Woman: A Novel of the Vanderbilts by Therese Anne Fowler
Publication Date - October 16, 2018
🌟🌟🌟🌟



Alva Smith's family was on the brink of poverty when she realized she had to marry money.  William Vanderbilt was from a very rich, but not yet socially prominent family who needed Alva's reputation in order to find respectability.  Their marriage was no love match and never would be, but Alva used her circumstances to raise the Vanderbilt name in society as well as advance her interest in innovative architecture and the women's suffrage movement.  Alva is an interesting character who was both ahead of her time and immersed in the rules of the time.  This well-written novel does a good job of recreating the atmosphere of the gilded age but the second half feels both too long at parts and then rushed towards the end.  I did enjoy the read and recommend it to fans of historical fiction.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.



The Rain Watcher by Tatiana de Rosnay
Publication Date - October 23, 2018
🌟🌟🌟🌟1/2



Surprisingly, this is the first book by this author that I have read but I will definitely pick up her others.  I thought this book was beautifully written. She has created a scenario of eerie chaos in Paris as the Seine floods through the city and one family, there to celebrate, has to deal with a medical emergency.  The narrator, Linden, is returning to the city after starting a life in America.  He is dealing with the feelings of history and introspection that the city ignites in him as well as his father's health emergency and the things left unsaid between them.  Each family member deals with tragic past events, secrets and difficult truths as the city floods in an apocalyptic scenario.  This was such a beautiful book, and even though it was meandering at times I truly loved reading it.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review .



I'll Be There For You:  The One About Friends by Kelsey Miller
Publication Date:  October 23 2018
🌟🌟🌟🌟



This book is just pure fun enjoyment.  Do not go into it expecting deep thoughts about the show, or even really anything new.  It is an enjoyable read with fun insights and interesting tidbits that relaxed and entertained me before bed each night.  If you are someone who spent their teenage/early adult years watching this show, then you will like this book too.  I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Just...Ugh!

Mr. Nice Guy by Jennifer Miller & Jason Feifer
Publication Date - October 16, 2018
🌟🌟




To be honest, I rarely keep reading books that I really dislike but I was hoping that in the end there might be a major redemption so I kept reading and thus giving an unusually low rating.  In my opinion, it just didn't happen enough to justify how terrible these people were from the beginning.  At times I could see one or the other's point of view but I felt icky the whole time I read it and disliked main and side characters alike.  The writing was good, though, to end on a more positive note.  This one was just not for me.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

New Upcoming Books Alert

Spark of Light by Jodi Piccoult

Publication Date – October 2, 2018

🌟🌟🌟🌟

I am still mulling over my opinions on this one, because there are so many things that can be commented on.  First of all, I tend to avoid Piccoult’s work because it kind of stresses me out.  I also often avoid the news, so I’m sure conclusions can be drawn from that.  To start, the “straight from the headlines” topic this time is the battle over abortion.  I actually think she does a good job examining each side, although it is fairly easy to guess Piccoult’s opinions on the matter.  I did think that the actual shooter himself did not make a whole lot of sense, but it is a senseless act of violence so maybe that is true to life.  The rest of the characters felt mostly realistic.  Another aspect of this book to examine is the format itself.  She tells the story backwards, each chapter going an hour backwards in time.  This format mostly works for this book and I think she did a good job of slowly unraveling the story, however, by the time she gets to 8:00 AM it starts to feel repetitive.   So, while I will probably still read her books discriminately based on the topic, I did like this one overall.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.   

A Girl in the Shape of a Cloud by Jean Thompson

Publication Date – October 23, 2018

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Following three generations of women in a Midwestern college town, this novel explores the sacrifices made for family and how those choices reflect in future generations.  It also examines the relationship between mothers and daughters and how sometimes a daughter make decisions just to counteract the decisions that their mother made before her.  This is a quiet novel and does a good job of demonstrating how the role of women in a family is defined and how sometimes a woman will have to take on the same roll regardless of what generation she fall into.  The only fault that I find with the book is the unexamined drama at the end and the rather unnuanced personalities of the men.  As a mother, daughter and townie of a Midwestern college town, I found much to relate to in this beautifully written book.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

My Squirrel Days by Ellie Kemper

Publication Date – October 9 , 2018

🌟🌟🌟

I normally find celebrity memoirs fairly innocuous and this is no different.  I am a huge fan of the Office which is why I picked this one up, but really have seen none of Ellie Kemper’s other shows.  I think the best sections are when she is writing about her life on set, otherwise the essays are silly and rather pointless.  It’s not bad though, and a quick read.  I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Friday Review

The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain

Publication Date – September 25, 2018

🌟🌟🌟1/2

Here is my disclosure, my son has a very similar congenital heart defect to that being portrayed in the book so I read this book with a highly critical and apprehensive eye and to be honest I really didn’t know if I could read it anyway.  Carly lives in Nags Head, NC in 1970 when she learns from an experimental ultrasound that her baby will have a fatal heart condition.  Her brother-in-law with whom she lives turns out to be a time-traveler from 2017 who helps her time travel to 2001 for her child to join a fetal surgery study that may save her unborn child.  I actually really enjoyed the time travel aspect, although even though explained, it still make more sense for her to travel to a later date to obtain more experienced medical care.  It was interesting to read about someone experience some of our common technology that we take for granted for the first time.  I’m still mixed on how the medical information was handled and I don’t know if I have a clear opinion.  I did google several items that we did not experience in our journey but I was too afraid of falling down an internet black hole to do comprehensive research.  Overall,   this is a well-written, interesting book that just may not have been the best choice for me to read.  I received an ARC of this book through BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review.   

Interesting Twist on a Classic

Hollow of Fear (Lady Sherlock #3) by Sherry Thomas

Publication Date – October 2, 2018

🌟🌟🌟1/2

The third book in the Lady Sherlock series moves the story line along nicely and is probably my favorite of the series so far.  I really enjoy the story behind this series of a young woman who just does not fit into the society in which she was born so she goes to extremes in order to live the life that she wants.  It is reimagining the story of Sherlock Holmes as a woman who poses as a man.  I like all of the intricacies of these characters personalities and their loyalty to one another.  My only problem with this series is that it moves SOOOO slowly and often get bogged down with the details of the cases, so I do have to be in the right mood in order to read them.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

End of the World As We Know It

This is the Way the World Ends:  How Droughts and Die-Offs, Heat Waves and Hurricanes are Converging on America by Jeff Nesbit
Publication Date - September 25, 2018
🌟🌟🌟🌟



I've read many climate change novels in recent years and while this may not add much new information, it does a better job of organizing that information than most.  I like that he starts with the truths, that is what irrefutably (although I'm sure there are still naysayers) is happening right now on our planet.  He then discusses the repercussions of climate change, such as droughts, disappearing water, rising seas, increased heat waves and how it affects the world's geopolitical design.  At the end, he offers some fairly straight-forward ideas for changing our current course.  These are supposed to promote hope, however, knowing the current political atmosphere it is highly unlikely any of these ideas will come anywhere near fruition.  If you are just picking up a book on climate change for the first time, this is definitely a good primer but I think it is time for me to take a break from this sort of book because even the smallest hope of change seems like an impossibility at this point.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Fall Rapid Romance Reviews

Last Night with the Earl by Kelly Bowen

Publication Date – September 25, 2018
🌟🌟🌟1/2

Kelly Bowen continues her series around the Haverhall School for Young Women.  This time centering on artist, Rose, and the long lost Earl of River, Eli Dawes.  Eli has been seriously injured in the Napoleonic Wars and his scarred face has caused him to be skittish of society.  Rose is scarred in her own way and they must open up to each other in order to face their fears.  This author is consistent in both her writing and her likable characters.  I enjoyed this historical romance but felt it was shorter and lacked some of the humor that is present in her other books.  Once again, I plead for King’s book next but it looks like it may be Rose’s brother instead.  I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Fight or Flight by Samantha Young

Publication Date – October 9, 2018

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Caleb and Ava meet in first class on a flight rescheduled due to a volcanic eruption in Iceland.  A steamy one night stand leads to an interesting arrangement once the Scottish Caleb relocates to Ava’s hometown of Boston.  At first, I was not a huge fan of these characters, however, as the book progressed I really began to root for their relationship and really enjoyed the rest.  My only quibble is that I would have liked to see a more of Caleb’s side of events as by the end, I wasn’t quite sure he had suffered enough.  This is a fun, emotional read though.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

The Royal Runaway by Lindsay Emory

Publication Date – October 9, 2018

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This is a highly entertaining and sometimes humorous light-hearted story following a princess of a made up realm and a British spy as they work together to find his brother (her ex-fiancé) and expose a major scandal.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and even though the steamy bits of romance took place off-page, I thought the romance extremely sweet.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Weekend Review

Transcription by Kate Atkinson

Publication Date – September 25, 2018

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Juliet Armstrong, a nineteen year old orphan, joined the M15 in London during the years of World War II.  Her prime occupation is to sit in an apartment and type up transcriptions of the traitorous conversations taking place right next door.  As she becomes even more enmeshed in spying, she starts to imagine nefariousness in every interaction.  Kate Atkinson’s writing is not for the skimmer.  Her ability to jump around in time several times a paragraph and her witty asides make close reading imperative.  I’m not sure I liked this one quite as much as Time after Time or even A God in Ruins but I definitely enjoyed the process of decoding the story.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

The Art of Story

Daemon Voices:  Essays on Storytelling by Philip Pullman

Publication Date – October 5, 2018

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Philip Pullman is the bestselling author of the His Dark Materials trilogy (which I have not read) and these essays pulled from speeches and publication detail his thoughts on creating stories.  I thought this a remarkably well put together collection, easy to read with little repetition.  From this collection, it is apparent that Pullman cares not only about his ability to create literature but the craft of creating a story that appeals to his readers.  I was fortunate to receive a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

For the Birds

The Ravenmaster:  My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London

By Christopher Skaife

Publication Date – October 2, 2018

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This short book written by the current Ravenmaster of the Tower of London is a pure simple, relaxing, informative delight.  After over two decades in the British Army, he applied for a position as a Yeoman Warder the Tower, not knowing that it would lead to his current position.  Currently in charge of the welfare of seven ravens, Mr. Skaife has an authentic affection and interest for the birds who have complex personalities and behaviors.  Written simply, I couldn’t help but become just as enamored of the Tower ravens as the author.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Behind the Fairytale

Fierce Fairytales:  Poems and Stories to Stir Your Soul

By Nikita Gill

Publication Date – September 11, 2018

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This is a small collection of poetry and short stories based on fairytales.  Cautionary tales and princess self-help are the main focus and I personally appreciated the stories more than the poems (but that may be a personal preference).  I have a digital ARC but I can only assume that this is beautiful in print and may honestly affect the reading experience.  I received this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Reviving a Classic

A Star is Born:  Judy Garland and the Film That Got Away
by Lorna Luft and Jeffrey Vance
Publication Date - September 18, 2018
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I requested a digital ARC of this book and I don't even remember why but I am glad that I did.  Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down.  It details all of the adaptations of A Star is Born but focuses on the Judy Garland version that was tragically altered after the successful premier.  Judy Garland's daughter, Lorna Luft who writes this book, always wanted to see the original and finally got the chance after a restoration in the 1980's.  This is a moving tribute to a movie many see as Judy Garland's best.  I enjoyed all of the photographs but highly recommend the physical copy as the digital copy was a little scattered.  Overall, I was delightfully surprised at how much I enjoyed this book.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thoughtful Reading

On Reading Well:  Finding the Good Life through Great Books
by Karen Swallow Prior
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In this book, the author discusses three types of virtues (Cardinal, Theological and Heavenly) and how they are portrayed in classic literature.  The purpose is to teach readers how to look beyond the superficial to get the most out of the reading experience.  Each chapter tackles a book and a virtue found within its pages.  I will say that I got more out of the chapters that dealt with books that I had already read, so it might be useful to use this book as a reference as you read each book.  This is an intelligent, thoughtful and inspiring look at the choice to read good books.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Born in a Small Town

Heartland:  a Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth

By Sarah Smarsh

Publication Date:  September 18, 2018

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Sarah Smarsh grew up on a farm in Kansas within a cycle of poverty, single mothers and violent and absent men.  She worked hard to break the cycle and as a college educated professor, she reflects back on the women in her family and what they did to survive as they lived the same poverty-stricken lives as the women before.  I connected to this memoir, as I have a vaguely similar backstory, and I think many people from the flyover states will find something of themselves in this book.   A minor quibble is that it was oddly repetitive at times and I found myself paging back to find that a story had been referenced before.   I do think that this is the kind of book we are going to see more and more of as the economic disparity in our country grow more desperate.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.