Historical Romance Review

The Prince of Broadway by Joanna Shupe
Publication Date - December 30, 2019
4 stars

This story of an unconventional uptown debutante and a severe casino owner took a while to grow on me but towards the end, I appreciated their relationship and rooted for them to get together.  I also liked all the characters and look forward to future installments in this series.  I received a digital ARC of this book through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Never Kiss a Duke by Megan Frampton
Publication Date - January 28, 2019
4.5 stars

A thoroughly delightful historical romance about a duke who loses his title and a woman who runs a gambling establishment.  Sebastian may be one of my favorite heroes ever and I wouldn't have minded the whole book being from his perspective. Ivy is sweet and intelligent and the side characters provided great conversation.  I will definitely check out more from this author.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Rural Life

Hill Women: Finding Family and a Way Forward in the Appalachian Mountains
by Cassie Chambers
Publication Date - January 7, 2020
4.5 stars

Cassie's family comes from an impoverished county in the eastern Kentucky Appalachians.  She grew up surrounded by the love of her family but also the struggles that encompassed their everyday life.  This is a celebration of the women of her family and her county and the daily obstacles they overcome in order to find ordinary joy.  This is beautifully written with empathy and honesty and I think that many people growing up in small rural areas will relate to the stories that she tells.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sweet Historical Romance

My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid
Publication Date - December 31, 2019
3.5 stars

The Duke of Thornton has a terrible reputation but has been out of London for a very long time, which is convenient to Kitty who is desperate for a fake fiancé who will make it easier for her sisters to marry.  When Alexander finds out that he has a devious fiancé, he is bemused, yet intrigued.  What follows is a sweet historical romance between a very scarred man and an impetuous woman.  This is very slow moving but I liked the characters quite a bit.  I am interested to read further books in this series.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Historical Romance Review

Forever My Duke by Olivia Drake
Publication Date - December 31, 2019
5 stars

Natalie is a forthright American traveling to England with a small child and a tragic tale.  She meets Hadrian, a haughty Duke with a matrimonial plan.  They have great chemistry and the story is well written and interesting.  I am surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.  I received a digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Royal Romance

The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
3 stars

This contemporary romance is loosely based on the story of Prince William and Kate Middleton, except the heroine is an American and the details are mostly made up.  This was an enjoyable read.  Bex is a likable character and her dilemmas and decisions were mostly believable.  Prince Nicholas was okay but the romance was a little blah and I didn't really care if they ended up together.  Overall, it was a fun book to read over the holidays.  I received a digital ARC a long time ago from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

From the Beginning

Origin Story:  A Big History of Everything by David Christian
4.5 stars

Basically, this an in depth exploration of life from the big bang to current humans.  At times, it took some careful re-reading of the physics portions of this book but really this book is immensely readable and I found so much of it incredibly fascinating.  I think the most important idea to take away from this book is that it really is a miracle that we are here, living the life that we do, because it took a lot of extremely ideal conditions for us to get to this point.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Delightful Take on The Story of Beauty and the Beast

The Beast of Beswick by Amalie Howard
4.5 stars

Thane, Duke of Beswick, was gruesomely attacked by bayonets during a battle and has secluded himself in his ducal estate.  Lady Astrid's reputation was stained years before during her first season and now she is determined that the same thing won't happen to her beloved sister so she seeks the protection of the isolated Duke.  This is a delightfully sweet historical romance that is well-written with likable characters and snappy dialogue.  There are several of Beauty and the Beast re-tellings but this ranks among my favorite.  I am also very interested in reading the next in the series, following Astrid's sister, when it becomes available.  I received a digital ARC of this book through the Bookish First program in exchange for an honest review. 

I've Been Waiting For This!

Night of the Scoundrel (Dukes of Dover #3.5) by Kelly Bowen
4 stars

I have read every one of Kelly Bowen's books and have been eagerly awaiting this book, as King is featured in many of her previous historical romance novels.  King is an enigmatic man who deals in underground businesses and has a traumatic backstory.  Adeline mysteriously shows up in London with a troubled history of her own.  First of all, this is a novella which is extremely disappointing.  These characters definitely deserved a longer, more fleshed-out story with an added 150 pages.  Regardless of length, though, Kelly Bowen once again has managed to create two characters that I adore while creating a heart-stopping romance.  She also seamlessly incorporated characters from her other books.  I still enjoyed this book, while wishing (with all of my heart) that she had made this a full-length novel.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Steamy Contemporary

Hooking Up by Helena Hunting
3 stars

Amalie's wedding day is ruined by a despicable groom and an embarrassing situation with the groom's cousin, Lexington.  When she decides to go on the honeymoon by herself, she runs into Lexington who is there on a business trip.  I liked both of these characters immensely, by themselves, but something about their chemistry together just felt too forced to me.  This is also a very steamy contemporary romance and I think I was looking for something lighter and more fun.  I think this book just wasn't what I was in the mood for at the time.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Remarkable Woman

Carrie Fisher: A Life on the Edge by Sheila Weller

Publication Date – November 12, 2019

4 stars

As I started reading this book, I was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of names dropped, until I realized that it was necessary because this woman just had SO MANY friends.  And most of them were interviewed for this biography.  It creates a very clear picture of the life and struggles of Carrie Fisher and just how much she was beloved by her peers.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

The Military and Global Warming

All Hell Breaking Loose:  The Pentagon's Perspective on Climate Change by Michael T. Clare
Publication Date: November 12, 2019
3.5 stars

I was really looking forward to this book so that I could factually counteract global warming skeptics with facts about our Department of Defense's actions to fight the consequences of climate change.  I can say that this information was there, but it didn't really feel like anything new, if you are up to date on the current issues.  It also felt somewhat repetitive.  Overall, this was good but I guess my expectations were higher.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Reading Life of an Artist

Bowie's Bookshelf:  The Hundred Books That Changed David Bowie's Life
by John O'Connell
Publication Date - November 12, 2019
4 stars

In the years before Bowie died, he put together a list of the hundred books that impacted his life.  The list is extremely interesting and O'Connell takes this list and applies it to different facets of the musician's life.  I can't say that I will read many of these books, which range for art to large nonfiction tomes about fascism but it does provide a remarkable look at the reading life of a generational icon.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

November Releases

Wild Life: Dispatches From A Childhood of Baboons and Button-Downs by Keena Roberts
Publication Date - November 12, 2019
5 stars

This memoir follows the author's dual lives as she follow her parents to their work in Africa with monkeys to Pennsylvania where she attends a normal school.  The adjustment is not an easy one for her and the resulting coming of age tale is filled with honesty, growth and humor.  Her descriptions of Botswana are breathtaking and the stories she tells of the animals she come into daily contact with are amazing.  This is definitely my favorite memoir of the year.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 



Beyond the Known:  How Exploration Created the Modern World and Will Take Us to the Stars
by Andrew Rader
Publication Date - November 12, 2019
4.5 stars

Starting with the earliest humans and ending with the future of space travel, this book celebrates exploration among all cultures and the advances that inevitably follow.  This is one of those reads that are filled with new information and google rabbit holes.  I quite honestly learned so much more than I thought I would and it lead to a new stack of books on my TBR as follow-up.  Very entertaining and educational and one that I highly recommend.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 



Ship of Dreams: The Sinking of the Titanic and the End of the Edwardian Era
by Gareth Russell
Publication Date - November 19, 2019
3.5 stars

So many years later, the sinking of the Titanic still holds the imagination and inspires new works of literature.  Russell takes a bit of different tact and explores Britain and America around this time and how the Titanic sank at a time right before the onset of one World War after another, when society began to change.  I thought this fascinating, and I think his research into the first person accounts of the sinking had incredible depth.  The tangents, especially in the first part of the book were somewhat overwhelming and there was just too much information introduced, but overall a thoroughly enjoyable read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.



Jay-Z: Made in America by Michael Eric Dyson
Publication Date - November 26, 2019
3.5 stars

I was extremely interested to pick this up because I am not as familiar with Jay-Z's work as I am with his talented wife's songs.   It is interesting to see his lyrics listed in print because they do read like poetry and it exemplifies the way he uses language to address social issues in a way palatable to those who just want to enjoy the music as well as the message.  I did at time feel as though the author was a bit fawning and while he acknowledged some of the issues with some of Jay-Z's songs (such as the misogynistic language), I do think he let him off the hook more than I would have liked.  I did find this really interesting and understand the cultural and societal importance of the art that Jay-Z is producing.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Re-imagining Camelot

The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising #1) by Kiersten White
4 stars

I made the mistake of reading a couple of reviews of this book beforehand that were rather harsh which made me leery, especially since I don't read a ton of Young Adult fantasy books, however, I really enjoyed this book.  Following the Arthur legend while also turning it on its head, the characters were interesting, the plot moved steadily forward and the magic was perfectly imagined.  I am looking forward to seeing how she interprets the next part of this story in the next book.   I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

King of Comic Books

A Marvelous Life:  the Amazing Story of Stan Lee by Danny Fingeroth
Publication Date - November 5, 2019
3.5 stars

I will admit that while being a Marvel movie enthusiast, I have never really been a reader of comic books.  This book was definitely entertaining and Stan Lee is a charming and interesting subject.  While the author did work with Lee at Marvel, he a times felt like just a fan writing a book (which he probably is as well), which took away some of the depth.  Overall, maybe I wasn't completely the right audience yet I still found it to be a fun read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Galvanizing Essay Collection

The Witches are Coming by Lindy West
Publication Date - November 5, 2019
5 stars

This essay collection is honestly life-changing.  I devoured this book and let the emotions; anger, despair and hope wash over me as I did so.  I feel as though all the feelings that have pulsed through many of us these past few years are elegantly, succinctly and passionately portrayed in West's writing.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Sweet Holiday Read

We Met in December by Rosie Curtis

Publication Date – November 5, 2019

4 stars

Alex and Jess get the dream opportunity to live in the Nottingham neighborhood in London for an extremely affordable price.  When they first meet, the sparks are immediate and they form a close friendship but Alex also forms a confusing attachment to one of their other housemates.  This book is the year that follows and their evolving friendship, other relationships and their job struggles.  This is from both of their points of views, which I enjoyed tremendously, and is just really cute and enjoyable.  This would be a great holiday read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Sane or Insane?

The Great Pretender by Susannah Cahalan

Publication Date – November 5, 2019

4.5 stars

Susannah Cahalan is known for her book Brain on Fire about her experiences with symptoms of mental illness due to an immune disorder.  This one delves deeper into the field of psychology and psychiatry, studying the infamous study done by Dr. David Rosenhan that was influential in dismantling the asylum system.  This book definitely started out as one thing and morphed into something much greater and more important.  Cahalan deftly establishes the problems with the current state of mental health and how we got here.  Well researched and written, I look forward to witnessing the impact of this book.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Krakauer Essays

Classic Krakauer: Essays on Wilderness and Risk by Jon Krakauer
Publication Date - October 29, 2019
4 stars

I am always up for anything that Jon Krakauer writes, so when I heard about this upcoming book of essays I requested it immediately.  These are fairly old pieces so a bit outdated, but I still enjoyed every one and they are of the quality that I have come to expect from Krakauer's writing.  He's simply the best I've read at capturing the personalities of those people that live lives entrenched in risk and adventure.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Libraries During The Civil Rights Era

Freedom Libraries: The Untold Story of Libraries for African Americans in the South by Mike Selby
Publication Date - October 15, 2019
4 stars

Civil rights activists during the sixties traveled to dangerous and highly segregated southern towns in order to register voters and increase literacy.  One of their initiatives was the creation of Freedom Libraries.  These libraries would not only offer access to books but also serve as a place for gathering, learning and literacy.  The work was dangerous and many volunteers paid with their lives.  I think any book that reminds us of our horrific history is important and this laid out just some of the atrocities inflicted on the African American community and civil rights activists.   This book does often introduce snippets of stories and then skip to the next quickly which is confusing at times, however it is still one that I recommend.

Biography of a Dystopian Classic

On Nineteen Eighty Four: a Biography by D.J. Taylor

Publication Date – October 15, 2019

3.5 stars

I read George Orwell’s 1984 several years ago and was struck by its clear sighted look at government gone wrong.  This book is not just a biography of Orwell but of the book itself, with details about his movements and frame of mind prior to writing, his personal life during writing and the publication process surrounding it.  I thought this was an interesting look at writing and how the author’s personal experience play into the plot and structure of the story.  I will admit that I found it dragged at times, even though it is a relatively short book, however, for fans of 1984, this is a great supplementary read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Olive is Back

Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout

Publication Date – October 15, 2019

5 stars

I honestly believe Olive Kitteridge may be my absolute favorite book character.  I feel as though through the course of Elizabeth Strout’s books, we have gotten to know Olive both from her perspective and from the perspective of a multitude of other characters which has made for a more well-rounded character.  This book is also about aging, and coming to terms with who we have been, and the relationships we have had.  This book is just so good but I definitely recommend reading Olive Kitteridge first.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Heartbreaking Reality

American Epidemic:  Reporting From the Front Lines of the Opioid Crisis
Edited by John McMillian
Publication Date - October 22, 2019
4.5 stars

This collection gathers newspaper reports, excerpts from recent books, magazine articles and scholarly research on the current opioid epidemic.  The result is utterly heartbreaking.  I keep reading about the current crisis, not because I am intimately involved but to remain empathetic to those that are.  These essays follow addicts, police officers, counselors and family members as they deal with an often hopeless situation. The issues are so complicated and mostly everyone is just trying to do the best they can with the resources available.  There are so many great books being published on the opioid crisis, but this is comprehensive collection on the current reporting.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.   

The Fury of Teenage Girls

The Furies By Katie Lowe

Publication Date - October 8, 2019

3 stars

A private school with a troubling history, a newcomer with a tragic past and a mentor teacher who likes to study magic, this book attempts a. mix of the Craft and the Secret History with middling results.  The plot and writing are entertaining, my main problems lies with the characters who aren’t just unlikable but uncompelling.  The main character had really horrible things happen that were just glossed over and I found that I just didn’t really care that much.   I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Hope in Leaving

Unfollow:  A Journey From Hatred to Hope by Megan Phelps-Roper

Publication Date – October 8, 2019

4.5 stars

Living in a college town, I have witnessed the Westboro Baptist Church’s picketing with revulsion and honest confusion (how are they pulling this stuff from Christianity and do they not have lives?).   So, I went into this with some amount of trepidation.  This ended up being one of the most fascinating and step by step accounts of how someone is indoctrinated into a religious cult, the slow dawning of realization, the leaving and the afterlife that I have ever read.  She is a very good writer and while the numerous scripture quotations could be slow going, it also demonstrates how someone who grew up in this environment could use them as validation.  In the end this is a hopeful book and one that promotes healthy conversation.  One of the most amazing facts of Megan’s story is that it is some of her fiercest Twitter detractors that end up becoming her friends which demonstrates. the power of open minds and open conversations.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Indefinable Book

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
Publication Date - October 8, 2019
3 stars

This is a strange book and I am having a hard time coming up with a way to express my opinions on it.  About a community where the young women are sent away into the woods for a year to lose their magic,  it has huge Lord of the Flies vibes and initially had me excited with its mean girls and strange behaviors.  However, the early momentum loses steam and instead it turns into a strange romance with pacing issues and almost no backstory.  I really liked the main character at the beginning but then she was so afraid of all the other girls and it didn't quite make sense.  I guess in conclusion, I liked the idea of this book more than it's execution and I'm eager to see what other readers have to say about it.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Reclaiming the West

Erosion: Essays of Undoing by Terry Tempest Williams
Publication Date - October 8, 2019
4 stars

I made the mistake, when I first started this book, of trying to read through the essays quickly.  In doing this, I not only missed out on the author's beautiful writing but the message began to feel repetitive.  Once I slowed down, savoring one or two essays in a sitting, I really starting to connect emotionally with the writing.  Two in particular; "The Council of Pronghorn" and her interview with Tim DeChristopher are mesmerizing.  Even read spread out some of the essays still felt redundant, but this is a collection I will be thinking about for months to come.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

The French Resistance in WWII

Escape from Paris:  A True Story of Love and Resistance in Wartime France by Stephen Harding
Publication Date - 10/8/2019
3.5 stars

Joe Cornwall was a gunner during World War II when his plane went down over occupied France.  Through a series of brave resistors, he found his way to the apartment of the Morins and into a brief  romance with their daughter, Yvette.  I enjoyed reading this, especially about the brave French Resistance.  This was a relatively short nonfiction account and I actually was not as interested in Joe's story, but it is worth reading in order to get the story of the Morins and all of their associates.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Fascinating Glimpse at Family Dysfunction

Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me by Adrienne Brodeur

Publication Date – October 15, 2019

4 stars

When the author was fourteen years old, her mother made her complicit in the burgeoning affair she was conducting with her ailing husband’s best friend.  Throughout the years, the author became the willing confidant and initiator of the trysts between the two lovers even as the experience left a physical and emotional toll.  I am not sure a lesser writer would have pulled off this memoir, but fortunately the lovely writing,  honest self-assessment and unwavering compassion made for a captivating read.  I received an advanced copy of this book through the BookishFirst program in exchange for an honest review. 

Relevant New Memoir

Things We Didn’t Talk About When I Was A Girl by Jeannie Vanasco

Publication Date – October 1, 2019

4 stars

When we think about rape, it is sometimes the norm to picture sinister strangers in dark alleys but in reality most rapists are acquaintances.  Jeannie Vanasco’s hard-hitting book delves into her own experience as a young adult when she was raped by one of her closest friends.  She decided to contact her rapist while in the process of writing this memoir and she includes the transcript from her conversations with him, interspersed with her own thoughts and feelings.  This book is intense, thought-provoking and awkward.  I had to take frequent breaks in order to synthesize my own thoughts on what I was reading.  I did have minor issues with some of the content, but I think overall that this is an important book for young women and men who are struggling with what constitutes consent, especially in dealing with friends of the opposite sex.  I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Tin House Galley Club in exchange for an honest review. 

Queen of the Essay

Make It Scream, Make It Burn by Leslie Jamison

Publication Date – September 24, 2019

3.5 stars

I will always read anything that Leslie Jamison writes, mainly because I loved everything that she has written in the past.  That said, this collection was maybe not my favorite.  As always, the essays were extremely well written but some of these felt dated and one I am sure that I read before in a magazine (which is weird, because I don’t read a lot of magazines).  Some were very good, some didn’t really hold my interest for the entire piece.  So, while this was a perfectly enjoyable collection, I guess my expectations were a little higher.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

The Wonder of a New Ann Patchett Novel

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Publication Date - September 24, 2019
5 stars

I have debated how to start this review with enough passion to convey house much I love this new novel by Ann Patchett, but I guess I will just say that I really loved this book and let it be.  It is a beautiful family saga about a house, familial bonds and accepting the life you want to live.  I think that Patchett is better than almost anyone else about describing the bonds that develop between humans, whether it be during a hostage situation, at a home for unwed mothers, deep in a jungle or between family members trying to distance themselves from the past.  I received a digital ARC from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Gilmore Girls Explored

Gilmore Girls: A Cultural History by Lara C. Stache and Rachel Davidson
Publication Date - September 15, 2019
3 stars

I am a huge fan of Gilmore Girls and started watching with the first episode so I was excited to explore some of the cultural themes of the show.  This started out strong and I was interested to delve back into these character's lives.  Eventually, though, it felt like the authors ran out of ideas and it started to feel repetitive.  Overall, it was nice to revisit Stars Hollow but I was hoping for something more.  I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Friday Review

Amity and Prosperity: a Story of Energy in Two American Towns by Eliza Griswold

5 stars

This is a book that I will be thinking about for a long time to come.  The author investigates fracking in one rural community as two families deal with the environmental contamination that affects their water and air from the process of natural gas extraction.  This isn’t an easy answer kind of story.  The fracking boom in these rural communities is on the one hand adding jobs and money where it is much needed, on the other hand it is not being done completely responsibly and the people who can least afford to are suffering.  I will say that it would be much easier to see two sides to this story if the gas companies and many government officials didn’t behave so entirely inhumanely.  This is an important book and I hope that these stories keep getting told because it is the only way to add accountability to corporations that believe they need none.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Reading Through the Years

How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo

Publication Date – September 3, 2019

4 stars

This charming book begins with books for babies and traverses the years all the way until late teenagers.  I have three kids ages eight to twelve so I skimmed a bit over the younger years, but what I did read was incredibly insightful.  I especially feel better prepared for dealing with reading during the teenage years which is an age we are quickly approaching.  I read this in an advanced digital copy provided through NetGalley but I plan on purchasing a hard copy to keep on hand for future perusals. 

Sweet Romance

A Question of Us by Mary Jayne Baker
Publication Date - September 5, 2019
4 stars

This adorable and funny romance follows two best friends as they explore their relationship while trying to win a pub quiz league.  Friends their entire life, Clarrie and Simon are in their mid twenties, living in a small English town, surrounded by close friends and complicated families.  I love friends to lovers stories and really enjoyed this sweet story.  The dialogue took a little getting used to because of the (Northern?) English dialect but once I got the rhythm, I completely enjoyed the banter.  It did have some angsty moments, but I found it mostly believable.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Corporate Drugs

Fentanyl, Inc.: How Rogue Chemists Are Creating the Deadliest Wave of the Opioid Epidemic  by Ben Westhoff
Publication Date: September 3, 2019
4 stars

The opioid epidemic took a turn for the worse when medical and emergency officials began to see an entirely new class of drug take over.  The confusing factor is that the chemistry of the drugs kept changing.  Fentanyl was created to manage severe pain in patients with terminal cancer and extreme pain disorders.  Once drug cartels and others in the illegal drug trade realized that it could be added to heroin to create a cheaper and more addictive high, it became a major street drug.  This book details the chain of the drug, starting with the chemists, the manufacturers in China, the cartels in Mexico and the dealers in the U.S. and Canada.  This is a well researched book and a fascinating (yet absolutely depressing) look into the complicated business of illegal drugs.  I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

What Will Bring Forth the End

End Times: A Brief Guide to the End of the World by Bryan Walsh
Publication Date - August 27, 2019
4 stars

So a strange thing happened while reading this book.  While reading a chapter about the possibility and consequences of an asteroid striking the Earth, I happened upon a news story about an asteroid coming within such a near distance to the planet that it surprised scientists.  Suffice to say, that definitely brought home the timeliness of the book.  I will say that I have read about this before (but I am a glutton for apocalyptic scenarios) but this was well written and many chapters, especially the one about aliens, were extremely enlightening.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Taming the Ocean

The Geography of Risk: Epic Storms, Rising Seas and the Cost of America's Coasts
by Gilbert M. Gaul
Publication Date - September 3, 2019
5 stars

I've read more than a few books about climate change and the rising waters and they all elicit an emotional reaction of fear and sadness but I'm not sure I have read one that has made me quite as angry as this one.  My disclaimer, while I love to visit the ocean, I live in one of those states squarely in the middle, so maybe that's why all those numbers affected me so much.   So much (so, so much) federal tax money goes to the protection, construction and rebuilding of million dollar second homes that are built on land that just shouldn't be built on in the first place.  This is an important, very well written book that should be read widely.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Love on the Campaign Trail

On the Corner of Love and Hate by Nina Bocci
Publication Date - August 20, 2019
3 stars

This is a fun book about a small town mayoral campaign and a romance between the high strung campaign manager and the roguish candidate.  I will admit that I had higher hopes for it but was too often frustrated by the characters whose actions were ridiculous and motivations unbelievable.  That said, it was still fun and I read it fairly quickly.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Corporate Takeover

The Warehouse by Rob Hart
Publication Date - August 20, 2019
4 stars

The Cloud is a large company that set out to revolutionize the way that people shopped but then began to take over the way that people live.  This book follows three different characters.  Paxton invented a new way to cook boiled eggs but his business was quickly destroyed by the Cloud.  Zinnia is a spy hired by an unknown source to infiltrate the Cloud's technology and Gibson is the dying man who started the Cloud and believes so much that he is doing the right thing.  The frightening thing about this novel is how close it mirrors real life and provides a shockingly realistic future.  Thought-provoking and honestly terrifying, it also provides plenty of suspense for a great summer read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Essay Collection Review

Coventry by Rachel Cusk
Publication Date - August 20, 2019
3 stars

I normally really enjoy essay collections, especially when there is a good mixture of literary criticism,  current events, personal life and some humor.  That is my personal preference and there are authors who I feel hit the mark really well.  This collection hit some of those marks.  The literary criticism section is especially strong with a good mix of current and classic and some great points made.  However, I felt that the author also takes herself too seriously and some of the essays felt pretentious. Overall, this was a mixed read for me.  I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Things you save in a fire

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
Publication Date - August 13, 2019
4 stars



This was such an enjoyable read about a tough female firefighter learning about forgiveness and how to let herself love.  I flew through this book and I absolutely LOVED all of the characters.  There is some sadness but this is mostly a hopeful book full of humor and feel good moments.  I liked this author's last book but I have to say that I liked this book even more. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Distressing Tale of Childhood Survival

The Only Girl in the World: a Memoir by Maude Julien
4 stars

This memoir is utterly heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful.  Maude was born in France to an older father and his adopted daughter/wife.  She was raised harshly, without love and affection, to be a super-human.  Denied contact with any outsiders, she was subjected to a cruel schedule of hard work, study and music.  I was riveted while reading this but it was not easy.  Anyone sensitive to any kind of child or animal abuse should probably stay away.  Maude's story does have a happy ending and she is able to heal from her traumatic childhood, but after reading this I can't imagine it was an easy feat.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Finally Reading a Popular Title

Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo
4 stars

Set in Nigeria, alternating between the late eighties/early nineties and 2008, this novel follows the marriage of Yejide and Akin.  Married while in college, they are navigating the social norms of marriage and fertility in a country where polygamy was an accepted reality and having children a mark of success.  When Yejide cannot get pregnant, Akin is pressured into taking a second wife, which sets off a series of tragic decisions and consequences.  These characters are incredibly realistic and thought they make questionable decisions, it all makes sense within the world they exist.  The writing is so beautiful that I felt my heart breaking right along with Yejide as she deals with one tragedy after another.  And although the ending felt rushed, I will think about this story and the characters for months to come.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nostalgia Read

Sweet Valley High: Academic All-Star? by Katy Rex and Devaki Neogi (artist)
3 stars

I remember speeding through all of the Sweet Valley High books when I was a kid, consistently swapping them with my older cousin and relishing the scandalous bits.  So, basically, I downloaded this from NetGalley as a pure nostalgia read.  It was enjoyable and short but there is something about bringing the twins into the modern age that didn't translate very well for me.  It only brought out the negative aspects of their personalities.  It was still fun to revisit these characters.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Fighting Ebola

Crisis in the Red Zone: the Story of the Deadliest Ebola Outbreak in History,  and of the Outbreaks to Come
By Richard Preston
Publication Date - July 23, 2019
4 stars

So much has happened to the world since the 2014 Ebola outbreak occurred that it is hard to even remember.   It killed and affected a great number of people, though, and this book explores the virus, it’s history and the chase for a medicine to stop its spread.  This book is fascinating but tragic and at times really difficult to read as the hopelessness of the situation progresses.  The author does a good job introducing the different people involved and making you really care about what happens to them.    I did find that there were too many tangential details and I found myself trying to figure out the necessity of their inclusion without success.  I am reading an early copy, though, so there may be further edits.  Overall, this is an extremely interesting and important work on level 4 viruses.  I received a digital copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Weekend Read

Normal People by Sally Rooney
3.5 stars

I started this book weeks ago, read a chapter, put it aside and then finished the rest in one day.  It was sort of addicting, once I started reading, but I had this strange dream feeling that even though I was deep in their thoughts that they still seemed a bit vague.  This was a quick and interesting read, though.  I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Gritty Retelling of Robin Hood

Nottingham by Nathan Makaryk
Publication Date - August 6, 2019
4 stars

Who doesn’t love a good retelling of the Robin Hood story, especially during these times.  I loved many things about this book; the grittiness, the historical heft, and especially the fact that it is NEVER clear who exactly are the good guys or bad guys.  They’re all both.  This is very well written and while I did have quibbles with plot direction towards the end, I’m still thinking about it and dying to discuss with other readers.  I received a digital copy of this book through the Bookish First program in exchange for an honest review.

Next Big Trip

Ten Years a Nomad: A Traveler's Journey Home by Matthew Kepnes
Publication Date - July 9, 2019
3 stars

Nomad Matt is a well known blogger who tracks his travels and offers tips and advice for the traveling life.  This is a summary of his decade traveling the globe.  This book excels at describing his life as a backpacker, the people he met, sites he visited and his realization that traveling had become more of an addiction than a lifestyle.  His philosophical musings about travel became repetitive, though, and I started to skim through some of these sections.  Overall, as a parent I have somewhat aged out of this book but I would have thoroughly enjoyed it when I was in my early to mid twenties.  I recieved a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Beautiful But Too Opaque

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
Publication Date - July 16, 2019
3 stars

Following two individuals from warring agencies (tribes, companies, countries?  I have no idea) as they time travel through threads to thwart the other’s side.  One is called Red and is a type of artificial intelligence (I think) and Blue, who is part of the Garden, which is a more organic type of being (maybe?).  They begin to correspond by leaving letters in odd places throughout time, such as in seeds, rings of trees and owl pellets.  This is an imaginative and beautifully written book but I need more to really love it.  More plot, more character development, more world-building, more clarity....just more.  Overall, this is truly unlike anything I have read but not something I will ever reread.  I received an early copy of this book through Bookish in exchange for an honest review.

Stay and Fight

Stay and Fight by Madeline Ffitch
Publication Date - July 9, 2019
4.5 stars



This is such a interesting novel. Told by four different perspectives, it follows an unconventional group of people who form a family in the woods of Appalachia.  What is so interesting about this book is that it is so detailed of place, plot, characters but so vague about time.  It took half the novel before I figured out what decade this take place.  It is beautifully written and each character has such a unique and fascinating perspective.  I thought the ending a little weak but everything up to that point was so good.  I received an ARC of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review. 

Traveling at the End of the World

The Lightest Object in the Universe by Kimi Eisele
Publication Date - July 9, 2019
4 stars



Well-written and full of haunting scenes of post-apocalyptic America, I devoured this book and it grew on me the more that I read it.  It follows two adult characters who had a brief romance and are now trying to connect with each other even thought they live on opposite sides of the country.  I wish that there was a little more details concerning how society crumbled, but descriptions of the aftermath were some of the best I have read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

We Went to the Woods by Caite Dolan-Leach
Publication Date - July 2, 2019
3 stars



A group of five twenty something individuals decide to move to a piece of land in upstate New York and live off only what they can produce.  Their ideals are immediately tested by the difficult life and the neighboring commune whose politics are more extreme.  Told by Mack, whose failed social experiment brought her to this point, the novel examines the different personalities with a keen eye.  I did like this book even though the characters are at times insufferable. Mack’s explorations into the history of communes and how it relates to her own situation was an interesting twist.   Toward the end, I felt like the story started to lose steam, but this was an entertaining read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Smart TV

I Like to Watch: Arguing My Way Through the TV Revolution by Emily Nussbaum
Publication Date - June 25, 2019
4 stars

To be honest, I don’t watch a ton of television, mostly because I have three kids that monopolize that time but I do love to read about pop culture.  While I have not seen many of the shows she discusses, I did enjoy her take on the themes and subtle ideas presented in the different episodes.  The essay about shows, such as South Park, that foretold the 2016 elections was mesmerizing and also horrifying.  These were all solid essays and great critiques of recent and current television shows.  I received a complimentary ARC of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful and Moving Book

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali
Publication Date - June 18, 2019
4.5 stars



Roya is a teenage girl in Iran amidst the political turbulence of the 1950's when she meets Bahman in the Stationery Shop.  They fall deeply in love and plan to marry when Bahman disappears and fails to meet Roya at a designated spot.  Roya is heartbroken and confused but eventually moves on with her life and moves to America.  She doesn't think she will ever hear from Bahman again until a chance encounter in another Stationery Shop while she is in her seventies brings her into his orbit again.  This book will stay with me for a while.  It beautifully explores time and how though it passes, experiences and emotions are carried throughout, and sometime time circles back around in unexpected ways.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

One Giant Leap

One Giant Leap: the Untold Story of How We Flew to the Moon by Charles Fishman
Publication Date - June 11, 2019
4 stars



As always, I jump on any opportunity to read about the early years of the space program.  This was one of the better books.  Chock full of interesting tidbits and well organized, this was definitely worth the read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Fun Fantasy World

Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication Date - June 11, 2019
3.5 stars

I’m a fan of Jennifer L. Armentrout because she just writes fun books, regardless of writing or dialogue, they are just plain fun…and steamy.  I actually started out not liking this one quite as much.  Maybe because I didn’t read the companion series and was just getting introduced to the world.  Or maybe because I found Zayne a bit dull.  However, the last third upped my rating of this book by half a star.  It ended with a bang and I will definitely be reading the next book now.  I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Mind-Bending Fiction

Recursion by Blake Crouch
Publication Date - June 11, 2019
4 stars



I have so many questions.  Mostly, what did I just read?  This book was insane and I read the entire thing with a headache and a sense that I was just on the verge of really understanding it.  Don't get me wrong, this was really good and I foresee this being a big book of the summer.  In essence it is about memories and traveling back to specific memories and changing them.  I'm not going to go into the summary too much...this is going to be a much reviewed book...but besides a couple of plot holes that I didn't feel were addressed well, this is a fun and fascinating read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

How the Bible Came to Be

A History of the Bible: The Story of the World's Most Influential Book by John Barton
Publication Date - June 4, 2019
🌟🌟🌟1/2



I have always been interested in the question or who wrote the bible so I grabbed this lengthy history tome off of NetGalley.  The author is an engaging writer and I learned a ton about the history and research of the Bible.  He did include quite a bit of direct passages from the Bible which I kind of get, but I also just skimmed over which tells me that it wasn't really necessary.  Overall, this is an interesting history and one that enhances my own understanding of the Bible.  I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Race to the Moon

Chasing the Moon: The People, the Politics, and the Promise That Launched American into the Space Age by Robert Stone and Alan Andres
Publication Date - June 4, 2019
3 stars

As I have an unhealthy obsession with all things space travel, I have read many of the recent books published about the space race in the 1960’s.  This book is a companion book to a television series (which I unfortunately have not yet watched).  This book had all of the relevant information but was much duller than other books on the same subject.  There is not the same sense of urgency and it doesn’t quite capture the character of the major players in the space race.  I feel like that since this is a companion book, that it may be better in physical form, with color pictures, and such.  Overall, it is definitely a good primer on the birth of the space program and NASA but there are more interesting books out there.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Weekend Review

A Moonless, Starless Sky: Ordinary Women and Men Fighting Extremism in Africa
By Alexis Okeowo
5 stars

This book profiles different individuals from four different African countries and how they fight against religious extremism in their own way.  I especially like how the author, after telling each story, inserts herself and her own reactions into into the story.  It is an extremely well written and enlightening book.  I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Alien Music

The Vinyl Frontier: The Story of the Voyager Golden Record by Jonathan Scott
Publication Date - May 21, 2019
4 stars



4 stars

Music obsession and space travel have to be two of my favorite things to read about, so when I received an invitation to read an early copy of this book I realized how accurate such metrics must be.  In the midst of the Voyager missions, it occurred to Carl Sagan that a way to communicate to alien life outside of our solar system would be to install a musical disc on the spacecraft.  This book details the people and the process involved in such an undertaking.  This is not something that I had heard about prior to reading this book so I found it all immensely fascinating.  The argument over what music to include feels very outdated (this was done in the 1970’s) but it was still an interesting endeavor to ponder and I enjoyed reading about the prospect.  I received a digital copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Tudor Life Reimagined

Anna of Kleve: The Princess in the Portrait by Alison Weir
Publication Date:  May 14, 2019
🌟🌟🌟1/2



Anna of Kleve, to me, has always been the most intriguing of Henry VIII's six wives.  She somehow managed to escape the marriage and live her life in peace and good relations with the mercurial king.  This is part of the fictional series that Weir is writing on the six queens.  As it is fiction, the author takes some liberties that I am not one hundred percent on board with, which made this not quite as enjoyable as her prior novels.  She admits in her author's note that not everyone will agree with her propositions.  Still, I liked imagining Anna using common sense to escape court politics and live out her remaining years.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Thriller Review

If She Wakes by Michael Koryta
Publication Date - May 14, 2019
3.5 stars



There is a lot going on in this thriller.  Tara is a college student who gets in a serious accident while chauffeuring a mysterious man around, leaving her in a coma but fully cognizant.  Abby is a former stunt driver, current insurance investigator, who finds herself in a cat and mouse chase with a sociopathic teen assassin.  And there is an arrogant woman who claims to be a federal investigator.  All are focusing their attention on a strange phone so important that it holds several layers of security to unlock.  I enjoy Koryta’s writing and his ability to develop interesting plots.  This is probably not my favorite of his books, and I really dislike his partiality of including chapters from the villains point of view but overall this is another enjoyable read.  I received a digital arc of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Historical Fiction - YA Style

Romanov by Nadine Brandes
Publication Date - May 7, 2019
🌟🌟🌟



This is a YA novel about the Romanov family as they are forced into exile by the Bolshevist during the early 1900's that involves a slight fantasy/magical element.  I was looking forward to this book as it involves a period of history that I am very interested in reading about and it does follow the general historical timeline of these events, but it also left me wanting more.  Based mostly while in exile in a Siberian village, this is incredibly slow moving with a budding romance that was pretty meh.  It did however inspire me to do more research into the Russian revolution and the fate of the Romanov line.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Baby Farm

The Farm by Joanne Ramos
Publication Date - May 7, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟




This is an interesting, and all too plausible look, at a company that provides surrogates for overly wealthy women who, for whatever reason, are not carrying their own babies.  This is told from multiple perspectives which actually makes it really creepy...as the "bad guy" does not sound so bad from her own perspective.  I did enjoy this book but I am still trying to work out what I feel is the point the novel is trying to make.  I am interested to read other opinions on this book.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Romance Review

No Other Duke But You by Valerie Bowman
Publication Date - April 30, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟



I love a best-friend romance and this one was as sweet as can be.  Thomas and Delilah have been friends forever and followers of this series have been introduced to them throughout.  Their interactions are funny and adorable and Thomas may be my all time favorite male character.  Alas, this would have been an ultimately perfect, five star, historical romance read if not for the ridiculous love potion plot line.  However, it still ranks among my favorites and I devoured it in a day.  I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.


The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Publication Date - May 14, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟



Once I picked this up, I could not put it down.  From the very beginning the tone was funny and sweet and the chemistry between the two characters was really well written.  Olive is a down to earth and realistic character who you can't help but root for while Ethan is sweet but definitely flawed.  I do think the ending felt rushed and I kind of wish we got chapters from Ethan's point of view too.  It would have made him a more likable character at times.  Otherwise, this is my favorite out of the books by these authors that I have read so far.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


Smitten by the Brit by Melonie Johnson
Publication Date - May 28, 2019
🌟🌟🌟



Bonnie and Theo met while Bonnie was vacationing in Europe for the summer with her firends.  At the time she was engaged to her longtime boyfriend and could not act on the definite sparks between the two.  A year later, she has broken her engagement to her cheating fiance and Theo is back in her life.  This is the second in a series and I feel like I may have missed a little of their story by not reading the first because they just jump into the chemistry with little build up.  Also, there were a couple of extremely awkward scenes that were a little too much.  Overall, though, this was enjoyable and I like Olive's group of friends.  I can see how following this series in its entirety would be fun.  I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Highland Romance

Highland Crown by May McGoldrick
Publication Date - April 30, 2019
🌟🌟🌟1/2



Isabella practices medicine in nineteenth century Scotland and while her marriage allowed her to be a doctor at a time when women didn't normally have the opportunity, it also exposed her to revolutionary activities against the British government.  When her activist husband is murdered, she is forced to flee the British soldiers who want names and the revolutionaries who do not want her to provide the names.  While in hiding she meets Cinaed, a ship captain, whose dealings are not quite legal.  This is a fun historical romance and definitely fast paced.  So fast-paced that I think the romance aspect suffered, but only a little.  Overall, I am excited that this is the start to a new Scottish romance series and I look forward to future books.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Author Biography

Mr. Straight Arrow: The Career of John Hersey, Author of Hiroshima by Jeremy Treglown
Publication Date - April 23, 2019
🌟🌟🌟



I grabbed this book off of NetGalley because I always enjoy books about the writing process and the backstories of famous authors.  I wish I had of read his most famous work, Hiroshima, before picking this up because it might have spurred more interest in the material.  This is well-written and definitely interesting at times.  I actually wish there would have been more information about his thoughts and feelings as he saw the destruction in Japan and how that translated to his book.  I am glad that I picked this up, though, it gave good insight into journalism and publishing during that time period.  I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Experimental Measures

The Valedictorian of Being Dead: The True Story of Dying Ten Times to Live by Heather B. Armstrong
Publication Date - April 23, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟



The author has suffered all her life with anxiety and depression but the eighteen months after her divorce involved a frightening depth of depression that left her willing to try anything.  So she began an experimental trial that required ten treatments using Propofol to flat-line brain activity for short amounts of time.  In essence, she was resetting her brain.  She details this experience along with how she got to that point in this book.  I had never heard of this author before, but apparently she became well known as the "mommy blogger."  I found her tone of writing entirely engaging and I read this book in less than a day.  She has a good sense of humor and a healthy appreciation of her mom and stepfather who dedicated many hours to her treatment.  I do not think that she always did a great job of putting into words what it actually feels like to be depressed, a trait that I find with many memoirs of depression.  It is just too hard of a thing to translate into words, but I did find this memoir fascinating in the lengths she was willing to go to to find hope for herself.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Nightmares and Memory Loss

The Hummingbird Dagger by Cindy Anstey
Publication Date - April 16, 2019
3 stars

When Beth’s hired coach crashes next to the Ellerby home, they take her in even though she remembers nothing of her past.  The family strives to protect the girl, even as ruthless people are out to get her. This was an enjoyable read yet slow paced.  I liked the characters yet didn’t really feel invested in their troubles.  So overall, I liked this book yet will probably not remember it next week.  I received a digital ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Royal Family

The Romanov Empress by C.W. Gortner
4 stars



The best historical fiction inspires you to deep dive into a period of extreme research and extra reading...and this has done just that.  Well written and compelling to read, this book follows the life of a Danish princess who marries the heir to the Russian Tsar and becomes Empress Maria, mother of Nicholas who is the last of the Russian monarchs.  I found this absolutely fascinating and though I've never had an interest in Russian history before, I have now a couple of nonfiction books on the Romanov's waiting to be read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

The Forgotten Child Star

Fame Adjacent by Sarah Skilton

Publication Date – April 9, 2019

🌟🌟🌟🌟

A children’s television show from the nineties creates a slew of extremely famous and bankable stars…except for one, Holly, who faded into obscurity and ended up with an internet addiction to Reddit where she discusses her experiences on the show.  So this is obviously a take on the Mickey Mouse Club (well, obvious to me since I grew up watching the show) and I wasn’t sure I had the patience for it at first.  But, you know what, it is just pure fun with a sweet romance and flawed characters who are trying to come to terms with the past and move on.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Thought Provoking Study of the Court System

Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration
by Emily Bazelon
Publication Date - April 9, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟



This book of investigative reporting looks at our judicial system and how the role of the prosecutor has increased over the years.  Prosecutors have the power to withhold bail, increase charges and strong-arm defendants into plea deals.  It is one of many problems within the U.S.'s criminal justice system but one that some reformed-minded district attorneys are attempting to fix.  This is well written and researched and the author does a good job of laying out all of the issues.   I think it is fair to say that the author takes a very clear stance on these cases and she portrays some definite bad guys but I can't help feeling that it was well deserved.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Inside Look at the Catering World

Hotbox: Inside Catering the Food World's Riskiest Business by Matt Lee & Ted Lee
Publication Date - April 9, 2019
🌟🌟🌟



Matt Lee and Ted Lee are brothers who operate within the Culinary world.  Their interest in the behind-the-scenes work of offsite catering led them to work for a couple of years for one of New York's most successful catering companies.  Through interviews and personal experience, the discuss the intricacies of the catering world.  This was definitely an interesting book and the stressful, fast-paced environment surrounding catered events provides definite drama.  I can't say that I am really all that interested in catering, and I can't say that I didn't roll my eyes many times about the ridiculousness and waste of some these events, but I did appreciate the details and hard work behind them.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Bookshop of the Broken Hearted

Bookshop of the Broken Hearted by Robert Hillman
Publication Date - April 9, 2019
🌟🌟🌟1/2

Tom has had a hard few years when he meets Hannah, a Holocaust survivor and the new bookstore owner in town.  They have an nontraditional romance that needs extra care because of their tragic pasts.  I liked the story of this book and Australia in the 1960’s provides an interesting backdrop.  At times, the writing felt distant and I never felt as connected to the characters as I wanted but I still enjoyed the story.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Expedition Through Alaska

To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey
5 stars



I am so impressed by this book and now want to go out and read everything that this author has written.  Composed of letters, journals, and articles, it recreates and early Alaskan expedition into unexplored territory.  Allen, a Colonel on his last mission and Sophie, his young wife left at home, are both compelling subjects and all of the side characters are well drawn.  I can’t even imagine the work that went into the beautifully written book.  I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Downfall of a Nineties Legend

Heavier Than Heaven: a Biography of Kurt Cobain by Charles R. Cross
4 stars



This fascinating book thoroughly examines Kurt Cobain’s tragically short life.  The author’s detailed research offers lots of insight into Cobain’s private relationship and conversations as well as his fragile mental state.  In the time just before his death at 27 he lived an incredibly sad life and increasingly found little joy in his former passions.  This is often a difficult book to read, especially as someone who listened to Nirvana and vividly remembers hearing of Cobain’s death but an incredibly well written rock biography.  I received a digital ARC of the 2019 rerelease of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Romance Review

The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves
Publication Date - April 2, 2019
🌟🌟🌟



A young woman on the autism spectrum leaves home for college and is supported by a wonderful best friend and a burgeoning romance.  I like this book and read it fast but I wasn't blown away and had some nit-picking issues.  I kind of wish this was just about the wonderful friendship of Annika and Janice and the romance was pushed to the back burner.  I'm not qualified to comment on how well the inner monologue of a person on the spectrum was portrayed but I really got sick of hearing how beautiful she was.  It felt completely unnecessary.   Overall, this was a quick, mostly enjoyable read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Monday Review

The Editor by Steven Rowley

Publication Date – April 2, 2019

🌟🌟🌟

James Smale has just sold his manuscript and is meeting his editor for the first time.  After some comical miscommunications, he realizes that his editor is no other than Jackie Kennedy Onassis, who was an editor in the nineties when this novel takes place.   The book James has written is based on his own family, especially his mother, who is not in any way happy to be a main character.  There are moments of real humor in this book and I really enjoyed the family scenes.  I had a hard time with the character of James at times, his neurosis started to annoy me towards the end, but it’s an enjoyable read and makes me want to read more about Jackie Kennedy Onassis’s career in publishing.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Rock Stars for Life

Uncommon People: The Rise and Fall of the Rock Stars by David Hepworth
🌟🌟🌟🌟



This book is so much fun.  Going through each year, starting with Little Richard and "Tutti Frutti" and ending with Nirvana, this book gives snapshots of the music industry and it's rock stars.  There are fun observations on the over the top lifestyle and insight into the changes in music over the years.  This is definitely a great book to breeze through.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Journey Through the Arctic

The Sun is a Compass: a 4,000-Mile Journey Into the Alaskan Wilds

By Caroline Van Hemert

Publication Date - March 19, 2019

🌟🌟🌟🌟

I’ve become skeptical of memoirs based on a big journey because they sometimes feel forced, taken on for the purpose of writing a book but Caroline and her husband, Pat’s, journey feels much more authentic.  They are Alaskans who spend their summers in a log cabin they built themselves on the outskirts of a glacier.  They are people who clearly enjoy outdoor adventure and this is definitely one big adventure.  After the author finishes her dissertation, she finds herself disillusioned with the lab based science in which she has be immersed in for the last years.  In order to connect once again with the outdoors, she plans a trip starting in Washington state, ending in the far reaches of the Alaskan Arctic.  The trip involves rowing, hiking, and mountaineering and takes months.  Along the way, we learn the geography and nature of the land they traverse.  At times, the descriptions of the animals and land are so vivid, they are easily imagined.  The only negative is that I tired of hearing her inner dialogue of what her future plans should be, but besides that, I thought this a great tale of adventure.  I received a digital arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Favorite Fiction of 2019 So Far

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Publication Date - March 19, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟1/2



At one point in this novel, about one third of the way through, I didn't think I would be able to finish.  Twenty-five year old, Queenie, just kept hopping from one bad mistake to another with a clear goal of self-sabotage and I wasn't quite sure why.  But then, when it all falls apart, things started to make sense and it becomes clear that Queenie is dealing with some really difficult moments from her past in the only way she could see fit.  The rest of the book follows Queenie as she fights to get better, accept herself and discover how important her crazy family and loyal friends are to her.  Queenie herself has a bold sense of humor but I definitely wouldn't characterize this as light fiction.  This is a darker tale that discusses childhood trauma, race and emotionally abusive men and how one woman, with help from friends and family, teaches herself how to survive.  I received an ARC of this book through the BookishFirst program in exchange for an honest review.

Journey to the Moon

Shoot for the Moon: the Space Race and the Extraordinary Voyage of Apollo 11

By James Donovan

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Publication Date - March 12, 2019

I have read several books on the early days of the space travel and I am almost always exited by the history. This is more of an overview of the missions and people leading up to the moon landing.  This is well researched and has interesting anecdotes.  While not the most riveting of accounts, I still found this a great overview of the beginning of NASA and the early excitement surrounding the space program.  I received a digital ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Trial of the Century (19th century that is)

The Trial of Lizzie Borden: a true story by Cara Robertson
Publication Date - March 12, 2019
🌟🌟🌟

Surprisingly, this is the first book that I have ever read on Lizzie Borden and the Borden murders so all of this information is new.  Unfortunately, I’m not sure I should have started with this book.  The beginning of the book introduces the Borden family and goes over the events of the axe murder of Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother.  After this brief set-up, most of the remaining book is a play by play, every little detail, account of the trial itself.  It is tedious, repetitive and very slow going.  If you are interested in the case and have read other books, then this may prove more interesting but I found it strangely dry.  One positive is that it just lists the facts and does not sway into making a hypothesis either way.  It did end strong, with details about the reverberations of the jury’s decision and Lizzie’s life afterwards.  Overall, maybe not a good Borden book to begin with but for those interested it is a good addition to the body of work.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Rock Star Life

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Publication Date - March 5, 2019

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I did enjoy this book.  I liked how it is told in interview transcripts and it reminded me of old Behind the Music episodes.  It also felt like a realistic representation of the crazy seventies rock star lifestyle and it I had to keep reminding myself that it was fiction.  I just didn’t like Daisy and she’s too big a part of the story for me to be so annoyed with her.  Her role didn’t work for me and her supposed magnetism didn’t come through the pages and that definitely affected my reading experience.  This is getting great reviews so far so this is most definitely a case of personal preference.  I am thankful to have received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Killer Bacteria

The Perfect Predator: A Scientist’s Race to Save Her Husband from a Deadly Superbug

By Steffanie Strathdee and Thomas Patterson

Publication Date - February 26, 2019

🌟🌟🌟🌟

When the author’s husband experiences bad pancreatitis while on vacation in Egypt he somehow introduces a terrible, antibiotic resistant superbug into his body.  What follows is a race to save his life involving untried therapies that only a scientist spouse would be posed to take on.  This is a fascinating and terrifying book written in an easily digestible format.  As antibiotic resistance becomes a serious problem in the hospital setting, this book brings home the horrifying prospects of the infections.  While this is definitely a story of privilege, it is also the story of a scientist who had the right education and knew the right people and was able to use that knowledge to save her husband and later patients who will also benefit.  I highly recommend this book but maybe not right before a hospital stay.  I received a digital ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Girls and Anxiety

Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls
by Lisa Damour, Ph.D.
🌟🌟🌟🌟



I have a ten year old daughter and I feel like it is the perfect time to read this book.  While she is not yet dealing with many of the issues presented, it is good for me to know what problems might be  down the pipeline and down to earth, reasonable, ways to handle them.  My one objection is that the author works at a private all-girls school and at a private practice.  This means that common issues that girls from less privileged backgrounds were not really addressed.  Overall, though, I found this incredibly helpful and full of commonsense advice.  I received a copy of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. 

Human Catastrophe

The Uninhabitable Earth:  Life after Warming by David Wallace-Wells
Publication Date - February 19, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟



Before the second part of this global warming entreaty, the author states "if you have made it this far, you are a brave reader" which basically encapsulates the overall feeling of this book.  Each chapter summarizes a different global catastrophe with dedicated research and staggering data.  I have read several of the current releases regarding climate change and this is definitely heavy on data, to the point of feeling like a text book at times, but it is all here and should not be avoided.  I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

First Favorite Book of the year

Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts
Publication Date - February 12, 2019
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I came into this book fairly blind.  I knew it was about L. Frank Baum's wife and the making of the Wizard of Oz movie but it ended being about that and so much more.  Maud Baum (born Gage) was the daughter of a patient shopkeeper and his Suffragette wife.  Maud's mother, Matilda, was a force and taught her daughter to treasure education and independent thinking.  When Maud meets Frank, an itinerant  theater man, she drops out of Cornell and joins him on the road.  This book alternates between Maud's early life and later, in her seventies, when she invades the set of the movie adaptation of her husband's book on a daily basis.  While making sure that the movie-makers stay true to her husband's vision, she meets the talented yet lonely Judy Garland and devotes herself to protecting the young girl.  This is one of those fictional accounts that has already forced tons of research on the Baums, Judy Garland, and The Wizard of Oz.  It is beautifully written with stunning detail and an abundance of emotion.  I can already pronounce at this early date that this will be a favorite of 2019.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

New Book Review

Northern Lights by Raymond Strom
Publication Date - February 12, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟1/2



I wasn't sure at first if I would like this book but as the story progressed, I found that as the story progressed that I really started to become immersed in the story and the atmosphere of the small Minnesota town.  It takes place in the late nineties as a teenage boy travels to the small town of Holm in search of his mother.  He encounters a depressing drug scene and prejudice against his long hair and sexuality.  He stumbles a lot as he tries to deal with his loneliness and confusion and makes so many mistakes but his loyalty and his overall attempts to turn his life around make him a likable character.  What the author most excels at are the descriptions of the town of Holm and the people that live there.  I could vividly visualize was it looks like from his depictions.  I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.