Fun Sister Story

West End Girls by Jenny Colgan
Publication Date - January 5, 2021
4 stars 

When I first started reading this book, I thought the characters and the plot were sort of ridiculous but I should have had more faith in Jenny Colgan.  The characters grew in unexpected ways, the side characters were charming and funny and the story ended up being a lot more sweet than I thought it would be.  I really ended up liking this and it was a wonderfully distracting book for a fraught time.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Romantic Comedy

Truth, Lies, and Second Dates by MaryJanice Davidson
Publication Date - December 15, 2020
3.5 stars

Ava is a commercial pilot who loves her job and loves to be on the move even more.  Tom is a super smart medical examiner who has dedicated his life to his job and his family.  They are thrown together as Ava returns to her hometown for the 10 year anniversary of her best friends murder.  This is a creatively written romantic comedy that attempts to celebrate and subvert our favorite tropes.  I liked both of the characters and for the most part enjoyed their humorous banter.  At times, this book tries a little to hard to be funny, often veering into ridiculousness, but I did mostly enjoy this sweet romance.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Underground Dystopia

Escaping Eleven by Jerri Chisholm

Publication Date - December 8, 2020

3 stars

I find the premise of this YA dystopian series extremely interesting.  As planet Earth has become uninhabitable, wealthy corporations have built underground compounds for the rich.  Since the rich obviously need people to do the jobs below them, they created a stratified society where one's worth is determined by what level of the compound the live on.  Eve lives on one of the lower levels and by appearance is training for the life of a fighter, but secretly is planning her escape from compound eleven.  She meets Wren, from the highest floor, and begins an unlikely relationship.  I think that this plot is exciting and even realistic.  I found the relationships, though, to be a tad superficial and I wasn't a huge fan of the romantic aspect.  The ending did leave me wanting to see what happens next, so I will most likely try to read the next in the series.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

History Repeating - Upcoming Fiction

The Forgotten Sister by Nicola Cornick
Publication Date - November 10, 2020
3.5 stars

It is a popular story from Tudor history, Robert Dudley and Elizabeth I and there daring love affair and the scandal that followed after his wife's (murder?) death.  This is actually the first time I have read a fictional account of his wife, Amy Robsart, and her marriage to this overly ambitious man. Alternating with the historical chapters, narrated by Amy, are a current day drama featuring a pop star named Lizzie.  Her long time friend, Dudley, is accused of pushing his wife, Amelia, down the stairs of their manor and Lizzie must sort out her feelings for her friend while dealing with some (mostly absurd) paranormal activity.   I enjoyed the historical aspect of this book.  I have read a ton of Tudor inspired fiction and feel as if this is a mostly unexplored aspect of the Elizabethan history.  It is an entertaining book, even if I did wish the modern day portions weren't so silly at times, and it was a nice distraction for a while.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Historical Romance Round-Up

The Truth About Dukes by Grace Burrowes
Publication Date - November 10, 2020
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Robert, a duke, and Constance, a duke's sister, seem like they should be a perfect match but each has very real issues and a traumatic past that they must overcome first.  I have read other books in this series and enjoy the stories, faithfulness to historical details and importance of family, those the characters are born into and those the characters find for themselves, that are created by the author.  I loved the plot and the complex characters of this book.  They are dealing with very complicated dilemmas with grace and maturity.  The romance was fine, and I definitely rooted for these two characters to find a happy ending, but it definitely wasn't very fiery.  Getting past that, though, is not a problem when you are so invested in the story.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

When a Rogue Meets His Match by Elizabeth Hoyt

Publication Date - December 1, 2020

4 stars

Gideon Hawthorne has had a rough upbringing that made him extra suitable to be the evil Duke of Windemere's hired man.  But when Gideon decides to leave the Duke, he is bribed by the one thing that might tempt him, the Duke's niece Messalina.  The forced marriage does not make Messalina very happy but she eventually learns that there is more to Gideon than violence and cunning.  I really like this book.  I especially liked Gideon and the way his character evolved.  There were some very steamy scenes in this historical romance and lots of side characters to populate further books.  This is a series that I will follow.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

The Princess and the Rogue by Kate Bateman

Publication Date - December 29, 2020

4 stars

Anya is an orphaned Russian princess running from a marriage proposal from an unscrupulous man when she lands in London.  Sebastien is a war hero and gambling house owner who prefers his women to be the kind you pay afterwards.  When he unexpectedly runs into Anya, the sparks immediately fly and he becomes charged with her protection.  I really enjoyed this story and its characters.  Anya is feisty, intelligent and caring while Seb is stubborn and protective.  They have great chemistry and I devoured this book to get to their happy ending.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Life in the Wilderness

A Strange in Town (A Rockton Novel) by Kelley Armstrong
Publication Date - February 2, 2021
4 stars 

I picked requested this book from NetGalley because I thought the premise sounded interesting.  Then I realized it was a part of a series, and not just in a series but the SIXTH in a series.  But because I thought it still sounded like a good plot, I decided to bit the bullet and buy the first five books and then preceded to binge read them ALL in the month of October.  This is a good series and not just because the premise is such a darn good one.  The characters are well thought out, the main ones and all of the residents with side roles.  The wilderness setting is so well described that I can imagine it clearly.  This is all around a great mystery series.  My only complaint, and this is one that some may not quibble with, is that the ambush scenes (there are several in each book) are very repetitive but that may be because I read the books in such quick succession.  The sixth in the series solved some long running mysteries while also strongly setting up further books.  I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Love on Fire

Just a Little Bet by Tawna Fenske
Publication Date - October 26, 2020
3 stars

Kayla and Tony dated for a short time and then transitioned very nicely into friendship.  They are happy with their relationship but not with their lives.  When Kayla asks Tony to join her on a work-related road trip, she also stipulates that they follow the rules of a self-help book and visit Tony's old flames to find out where he went wrong.  I will admit right off the bat that I self-help books are not something that I seek out and they usually annoy me to no end.  That is probably why I was personally not a fan of the premise.  I did enjoy the main character's relationship and liked when they were alone, not talking about ex's or past relationship woes.  I liked that part enough to try this author again, even though this one was not a good fit for me.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Science Thriller

The Mirror Man by Jane Gilmartin
Publication Date - October 20, 2020
3 stars

Jeremiah, a dedicated employee, has just been recruited by his controversial company to participate in a research experiment where he is cloned, locked in a lush apartment and forced to watch his clone take over his own life.  Jeremiah does this willingly for the big paycheck and for the opportunity to take a break from what he believes is an unsatisfactory family life.  What I found most interesting in this book is that Jeremiah is forced to watch himself and his relationships as an outsider would.  It is a fascinating concept to consider.  When the novel focuses on the more thriller aspects of the story I began to lose a bit of interest.  Overall, it is a compelling idea but some of the plot details just didn't gel for me.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Apollo's Arrow: The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live
by Nicholas A. Christakis
Publication Date - October 27, 2020

4 stars

I have to admit that I was very nervous about reading this book.  First of all, it seems a little too soon to have a book published about Covid-19 and secondly, I am dealing with some fragile emotions involved with sending my kids back to school so I wasn't sure this book would be necessarily soothing.  Fortunately, this wasn't an entirely gloom and doom book about the current pandemic.  Instead it looked at the origins of the virus (which is helpful, since it seems like it started decades ago) and at past pandemics for comparison.  It also discusses infection rates, different treatment trials, vaccine opportunities and how it may end.  After reading this book, written by a physician and public health expert, I feel like I have a better understanding of Covid-19 and how this may all play out in the end and how to face it until it does end.  I received a digital ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

To Be a Reader

How Should One Read a Book by Virginia Woolf
Introduction and Afterward by Sheila Heti
Publication Date - October 12, 2020
★★★★★

This essay by Virginia Woolf was initially included in the book The Second Common Reader but is being reissued as a standalone with an introduction and afterward by author, Sheila Heti.  Woolf explores how a reader should adjust his/her reading based on the genre and type of book being read.  She emphasizes that a good book, regardless of the category, will leave an impression that lasts long after the actual reading is complete.  She also somewhat criticizes critics reading book after book in order to provide a review and not choosing books that matter to them.  Sheila Heti, a current writer, takes these concepts and discusses how she chooses the first readers of her own novels and how important it is to choose well.  I enjoyed this and read it fairly quickly.  I am always interested in works about the act of reading and this one is definitely a classic.  I received a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Changing Times

The Wrong Kind of Woman by Sarah McCraw Crow
Publication Date - October 6, 2020
4 stars

When Virginia's husband dies unexpectedly, she is feels lost at the college where they both worked.  The changing times of the early 1970's means that a woman's place at the institution is not guaranteed and the clashing viewpoints of the day sometimes led to violence.  Told from four perspectives, this novel delves into a time period that in a lot of ways seems very similar to our own.  I really liked this book and related to Virginia as she navigates what it means to be a woman in a changing world.  This is a slow book so may not be for everyone but I did enjoy reading it.  I received a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Weekly Wrap-Up

Five Wives by Joan Thomas
4.5 stars

 

This novel is based on a true story about a group of missionaries living in Ecuador in the 1950's who decided to attempt to convert a native tribe living deep in the rain forest.  Little was known about the Waorani and they were viewed as a savage people in need of Jesus by the missionaries who conceitedly attempted to make contact with them which ended with disastrous consequences.  I thought this book was fascinating and I had never heard this story before.  The author does a good job of portraying the missionaries deep belief in what they were doing while also subtly demonstrating how their ideas were so wrong.  I thought this was well written and the plot propelling.  While the story was told by different perspectives, the author says in her note that she didn't feel comfortable speaking from the Waorani perspective which I appreciated even if it means that is a missing piece of the story.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am grateful to have received a digital ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim
3.5 stars

Margot is traveling home to Los Angeles to help a friend move and to also check on her mother who hasn't been answering her phone.  She discovers that her mother has been dead for days and she must unravel the mystery of her mother's life in the process of understanding the mystery of her death.  This is told through alternating perspectives of her mother Mina Lee when she first arrives in the United States from South Korea and Margot as she digs into her mother's past.  I enjoyed Mina Lee's sections so much more than Margot's.  Mina Lee is a fascinating and complex character who has dealt with immense grief and is trying to get through life.  Margot, on the other hand, comes off a shallow and I struggled to read her narrative.  Overall, though, I enjoyed this book and especially the evocative writing about Korean dishes and the comfort they bring to Mina Lee and the other immigrants trying to start over the United States.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Making Sense of a Family

 Hollywood Park: a Memoir by Mikel Jollett

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mikel Jollett is the lead singer of the Indie rock group, The Toxic Airborne Event.  He was born into the infamous Synanon cult in California and was  promptly separated from his parents to be raised by strangers as a "child of the universe", until his mother grabs him and his older brother, Tony, to make a grand escape.  This is a beautifully written memoir about discovering family and recovering from trauma.  Jollett's father is a charismatic character who recovers from a drug addiction in order to raise his two troubled sons.  His mother struggles with a mental illness that he only fully recognizes as an adult.  At times, this book seems long and like it could have been edited down a little bit more but even then, it is one of the best memoir's that I have read this year.  I received a physical ARC of this book through the Bookish First program in exchange for an honest review.  

Early Christmas Romance

Dawn with a Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas #9) by Erica Ridley
Publication Date - September 4, 2020
★★★★

Belle, the sister of a powerful duke, and Calvin, a common tailor, are trapped together in an inn during a snowstorm.  With most of the servants fallen ill, Belle must turn to Calvin to help with the buttons on her clothing and they strike an interesting deal.  I like these two characters immensely and their romance is sweet and endearing.  As with the other books in this series, it is short, so wraps up a little too quickly and neatly but still manages to be a delightful holiday read.  I look forward to others in the series and Erica Ridley is always a dependable historical romance author.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

One Night with a Duke by Erica Ridley
Publication Date - October 9, 2020
★★★★

I read this book within the first twelve hours after I downloaded the review copy to my kindle.  This series is delightful and easy to read.  This one follows Angelica, a jeweler, and Jonathan, a vagabond who travels around spending money on other people.  Jonathan is one of the most unusual heroes that I have come across in a historical fiction.  He is boisterous, charming and likes to know everyone he meets.  He is very funny and Angelica's reactions to him are hilarious.  I really enjoyed this one and I really have loved this series.  I received a digital ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

A Year in a Life

This is All I Got:A New Mother's Search for Home by Lauren Sandler
Publication Date - April 28, 2020
4 stars

I was at first a bit put off by this book written by a white journalist about a homeless young Dominican woman.  It felt a bit voyeuristic to me and maybe to the author as well, because she addresses her role in Camille's life often throughout the book.  This is an eye-opening account of the persistant problems of poverty and the shortage of affaordable housing in New York City (and across the nation, although these issues pertain specifically to NYC).  The patience and determination demonstrated by a young, single mother to wait for hours in office after office with a screaming infant is remarkable and heart-breaking.  I will be thinking about this book for a while.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Exploration into Diet

This is Big: How the Founder of Weight Watchers Changed the World--and Me
by Marisa Meltzer
Publication Date - April 14, 2020
4 stars

When the author saw the obituary for Jean Nidetch, the founder of Weight Watchers, it led her into an examination of Jean's life, the history of Weight Watchers and her own struggles with weight and body image.  I liked the approach this book took and enjoyed Jean's story and the author's journey through different dieting and exercise programs.  I have never read anything about the history of WW but thought that this well-written book was extremely enjoyable.  I received a digital ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Hilarious and Sweet Contemporary Romance

You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
Publication Date - April 7, 2020
4.5 stars

Nicholas and Naomi are getting ready to get married but by this point they are both just phoning it in.  Naomi decides she really wants out of the engagement but doesn't want to be stuck with all the bills so she tries to force Nicholas to be the one to cancel.  What follows is sometimes hysterical, sometimes zany and ultimately very sweet.  This is being compared to The Hating Game, which I also loved, and I have to agree with the comparison.  I am not always on board for contemporary romances but this is one I thoroughly enjoyed.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Gritty Tale of Texan Women

Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore
Publication Date - March 31, 2020
4 stars

This novel follows a group of women and girls living in 1970's Odessa, Texas during the years of oil boom after a horrific rape and assault of a young teenager upends their life.  Definitely gritty and disturbing, the character that stands out the most in this novel is Odessa and west Texas itself.  Beautifully described, while I have never been to that area of the U.S., I feel as though I can imagine it vividly how it was in the seventies.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Existential Risk

The Precipice: Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity by Toby Ord
Publication Date - March 24, 2020
4 stars

What is existential risk and what is our moral obligation to generations of humans in the future of the world?  These are the types of questions posed by this book.  The author points out that most of humanity is in the future, as a species we are still young, but we currently have the ability to wipe out every living human in existence.  I have read a lot of end of the world books (too many, to be honest) but this is probably the most philosophical look at the decisions that we make now and have made in the past.  At times, this whole book felt like a long introductory chapter but I did find myself highlighting many questions that I just hadn't considered before. There are snippets of this book that I wrote down and will continue to ponder. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Character Inspiration

Atticus Finch by Joseph Crespino
4 stars

This book is an interesting look at how Harper Lee's father, A.C. Lee, inspired the character of Atticus Finch.  Her father was in some ways a typical Southern gentleman from the early 1900's, but he also had a strong sense of justice that is similar to how she wrote Atticus Finch.  I thought this brief book was interesting and a good examination of How to Kill a Mockingbird.  I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

A Career in West Africa

In Pursuit of Disobedient Women: A Memoir of Love, Rebellion, and Family, Far Away
by Dionne Searcey
Publication Date - March 10, 2020
4 stars

Searcey, a New York Times journalist, and her husband were living a frantic dual-career life when she decided to uproot them all and take a West African post.  Moving into Senegal is itself a jolting experience but she also traveled widely as she covered war-torn areas and traumatized people.  As she did this, she understood that her husband was pushing pause on his own career and the resentment that this sometimes caused.  This is a fascinating and well written memoir with heartbreaking stories about the toll, especially on women, of civil war.  It also examines how women persevere against seemingly impossible ordeals.  I could have listened to her stories of West Africa for many more pages but I think that her own marital exploration was a bit weaker.  Overall, though, this is a book that I highly recommend.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Exploring the History of One Building

The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis
4 stars

Rose is a journalist living with her boyfriend in the historic Barbizon building.  Once a hotel for women, such as Sylvia Plath, it is now a condominium for the wealthy.   Except for the residents of the fourth floor, which are holdouts from the different era.  Rose meets one of those residents and her exploration into a drama which occurred in the 1950's consumes her as her own life begins to crumble.  Shifting in narratives between the fifties and 2016, this novel explores a period of time in which the options for an independent woman were extremely limited.  I enjoyed this story and appreciated learning about New York City in the mid twentieth century.  I liked the characters and rooted for them to branch away from stifling relationships.  Overall, an enjoyable and interesting read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Taking Control of Your Thoughts

Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen
3.5 stars

This is a short, easy to digest book with some really good advice about using scripture, faith and your own will power to take control of your thoughts.  I will say that I got a lot more about of the second 2/3 of the book.  I am still not quite sure I got her personal experience and how it affected her, it was a bit vague.  Once she offering strategies, though, the book felt a lot more applicable.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another World War II Account

The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz
By Erik Larsen
Publication Date - February 25, 2020
3 stars

I automatically pick up Erik Larsen’s book because he is a talented and entertaining nonfiction author.  This one, about the bombing of London during World War II and Churchill’s actions, was not one of my favorites.  It is always a good reminder of the horrific actions during this war, but I am not sure this would be categorized as the best or the most gripping of the many books on this subject.  It was well-written, but I had a hard time picking it up to continue reading.  This was just an okay read for me.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Historical Romance Review

Fair Weather Enemies by Sawyer North
Publication Date - February 10, 2020
4 stars

This is an incredibly sweet and interesting historical romance from an author new to the genre.  The story follows two people from enemy families who are forced on a difficult treasure hunt through the lake district of nineteenth century England.  Their banter is witty and and the romance builds slowly and realistically.  One thing to note is that it is a relatively chaste historical romance, however, I still enjoyed getting to know these characters.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.



The Earl Not Taken by A.S. Fenichel
Publication Date - March 17, 2020
3 stars

Poppy is somewhat of an outcast in society, she speaks what is on her mind and does not have much time for societal niceties.  She doesn't really need anyone besides her three best friends who have dubbed themselves wallflowers.  When one of her friends might become bethrothed to a mysterious duke, she enlists the help of her childhood antogonist, Rhys, in order to discover if the duke is good enough for her dear friend.  This started out strong and I read the first third very quickly.  It then turns a little ridiculous as some of Poppy's attitude and the resulting obstacles just doesn't make a whole lot of sense.  Overall, this was entertaining, yet also a little frustrating.  I received ad digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.



Highland Sword by May McGoldrick
Publication Date - March 31, 2020
4 stars

This is a continuation of an excellent historical romance series that read more like the best of historical fiction.  The writing, the plot and the historical detail are fantastic and the romance is delightful, if maybe a little underdeveloped.   This is definitely an author I will continue to read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 




To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters
Publication Date - April 7, 2020
2.5 stars

This historical romance has an interesting premise.  The two main characters have been married for five years and are in the middle of a four year argument that has caused them not to speak to each other or interact at all.  In order to get her husband's attention the heroine, Violet, pretends to be sick even going to the extreme of hiring an actor to portray her doctor.  It just gets more ridiculous from there.  I appreciate anytime an author tries to mix up the genre but the characters in this one just annoyed me more than anything. I can foresee that some people will really enjoy the back-and-forth of this book but it just wasn't for me.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Popular Release

Dead to Her by Sarah Pinborough

Publication Date - February 11, 2020

4 stars

I read this author’s previous psychological thriller, Behind Her Eyes, and wasn’t a huge fan of the supernatural twists.  Suffice to say, I went into this book with with a bit of trepidation.  This, though, is deliciously dishy with fairly horrible people all around and a good old fashioned mystery (with just a dash of the supernatural).  This was fun, and I didn’t root for anyone because they were all terrible and yet it was so well paced that I enjoyed every page.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

The World of Borgia

The Borgia Confessions by Alyssa Palombo
Publication Date - February 11, 2019
4 stars

The Borgia family dominated Roman political and religious culture in the late 15th century.  The family is mostly known for its ruthless and scandalous behavior and that is on display in this historical fiction retelling.  The author does stick fairly close to historical research and stays away from the more salacious (and probably unlikely) gossip which provides an interesting yet entertaining glimpse into the private lives of the Borgias.  There is more written about politics then I was expecting but I ended up learning quite a bit about fragmented Italy at that period of time.  I love meaty historical fiction and I think I would include this in that category.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

New Releases - February 4, 2020

A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler
Publication Date - February 4, 2019
3.5 stars

The narrator of this book is the neighborhood in which the story takes place.  Valerie and her son Xavier have lived in the neighborhood since Xavier's birth and remained after Xavier's father tragically died.  Valerie is a botany Professor and Xavier is about to attend a prestigious music program. The Whitman's recently razed the neighboring plot to the ground and built an obnoxious mini-mansion in its place.  Their complicated family dynamic is the stuff of nightmares and gets worse with the burgeoning relationship between Xavier and Juniper Whitman.  The plot explore issues such as race, incest, the environment, and feminism without being too heavy -handed.  It is an incredibly well-written book that I predict will be well received, but it just STRESSED me out.  This happens with books that use a lot of foreshadowing, when you just know that bad things are going to happen to good people.   That is a personal issue though, so I still think it is a book worth picking up.  I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


An Everyday Hero (A Heart of a Hero #2) by Laura Trentham
Publication Date - February 4, 2020
4.5 stars

I will be completely honest and admit to going into this book expecting too much sappiness for my taste but while there is some sap, there is also humor, strong characters and an lovely plot.  Greer came crawling back to her small town Tennessee home after a lot of unsuccessful years in Nashville.  After a horrible night at a bar, she is forced to volunteer for an organization that helps veterans and their families with music therapy.  Through her work, she meets Ally and Emmett who change her life in ways she didn't count on.  I loved all of these characters and never once stopped rooting for them and their relationships with each other.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


The Light After the War by Anita Abriel
Publication Date - February 4, 2020
3 stars

This follows nineteen year old Vera as she attempts to live her life with her best friend Edith following harrowing events of World War II.  Moving from Italy to the United States to Venezuela, they mix with different jobs and men.  To me, this felt more like a collection of events, some very dramatic, but not a true story.  The characters were all surface deep and I did not feel a connection, even when there were truly horrific things happening.  This one just did not work for me.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


Half Broke: a Memoir by Ginger Gaffney
Publication Date - February 4, 2020
4 stars

Ginger Gaffney is a horse trainer who volunteered her time on a ranch for prisoners who are transitioning to life outside.  They called her when they realized that the ranch horses were no longer manageable and what resulted was a relationship with the prisoners and the horses, sometimes rewarding and almost always challenging.  Ginger also mixes in her own story and it ultimately becomes a tale of empathy, connection (with people and horses) and acceptance.  This is beautifully written and while the slow pacing and description may not be for everyone, I found this to be a lovely memoir.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Re-reading Examined

Unfinished Business: Notes of a Chronic Re-reader by Vivian Gornick
Published - February 4, 2020
4 stars



I love this type of book so always keep my eye out for "books about books."  The author examines the books that she frequently re-reads and how the important aspects of them change as she ages.  Most of these books, I have never even heard of, which did affect my opinion of the book as a whole but only marginally.  Re-reading is something that I always want to do more of (darn plethora of new books) so I am always interested to read about someone else's experience doing so.  Overall, this is a book that I enjoyed reading slowly.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Fun Celebrity Stories

Name Drop:  the Really Good Celebrity Stories I Usually Only Tell at Happy Hour
by Ross Matthews
Publication Date - February 4, 2020
4 stars

I'm not sure what made me request this book...I'm only slightly aware of who the author is and my pop culture does not usually extend to the reality television that a portion of this book covers, however, it was just so much fun.  Ross is charming, and silly and does have some really entertaining stories about celebrities.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Seventies Hit-Maker

Captain Fantastic: Elton John's Stellar Trip Through the Seventies by Tom Doyle
4 stars

My love of Elton John's music was handed down by my mother, who listened to his songs often when I was a child.  Now that he has written a memoir, I probably should have picked that up but since this was already on my Kindle, I went with that instead.  I'm glad that I did. This is based on a number of interviews that the author did with Elton John for a magazine.  It covers just the one decade but most of his well known songs were released during these years.  I think that the singer comes off as funny, charming and self-effacing even during his most dramatic tantrums and I enjoyed this peak into his ascent into fame.  I received a digital ARC of this book (a long time ago) through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Funeral Home Life

The Undertaker's Daughter by Kate Mayfield
3 stars



The author's father was an undertaker in a small Kentucky town so she grew up living in the funeral home surrounded by death.  I actually really enjoyed learning more about her experiences in a funeral home and some inside information regarding the processes surrounding death.  That is the area in which the author excels, but the memoir parts of the book are not as well written.  She jumps from serious issue to serious issue (including inter-racial dating in a small town southern town in the seventies, her sister's serious mental illness, and a teacher's sexual predation) with a bit of callousness that doesn't read well.  Overall, this was an interesting but uneven memoir.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.