Lonely Island Life

The Women of Pearl Island by Polly Crosby

Publication Date - December 7, 2021

3 stars

This novel follows two timelines; one in the early and mid 1900's and one current day both on the same isolated island.  A family has lived on this island for decades with an obsession with moths and butterflies.  In the current day, a grieving young artist comes to the island to serve as a personal assistant to an elderly woman.  This book has some beautiful descriptions of nature and the island.  I didn't feel completely attached to the characters and that somewhat affected my reading experience.  I would definitely check out further work by this author but this one was just okay for me.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Not Politics as Usual

There is Nothing For You Here by Fiona Hill
3.5 stars

Fiona Hill grew up in the North East of England in an area devastated by coal mine closures and the change in industry.  Although she grew up in poverty, she was able to go to good colleges through hard work, perseverance, and good mentors.  She uses her experiences growing up, along with time spent in Russia and the US to compare the rise of Populist politics in all three countries.  I was interested in reading about her experiences overcoming adversity in her hometown and as a woman in a field dominated by men of a certain class and enjoyed those parts the best.  The last part of the book focuses on her work in the National Security Council under Trump and her eventual testimony in his impeachment trials. Personally, I would be happy if I never had to read another word about former President Trump so this part hit a lower note for me.  This is an fascinating look, though, at the political similarities between three seemingly different countries from someone who knows what she is talking about.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

The Christmas Escape

The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan

4 stars

When Christy's marriage looks to be in trouble, she sends her daughter with her best friend, Alix and her husband's best friend on their vacation to the Swedish Laplands.  There are several complicated relationships and complicated personalities but the setting takes center stage and I could have read descriptions of the snowy wilderness for days.  This is a great beginning to my holiday reading.  I received a digital ARC of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.