Christine

SO detailed and compelling! Jones has recreated the lives of so many black Bostonians in the 19th century, and she tells their stories with compassion and deep knowledge. This is an impressive volume, and I will find much to augment my teaching here.

I read this for book club and because my daughter has to read it for school. Powerful and thought-provoking. I've been hearing about Octavia Butler a lot lately, so I was surprised to realize that she wrote 30 years ago and died years ago. I'm interested to learn more about how her books were received and what prompted the renaissance.
I listened to this, and it went pretty fast.
Some of the dialogue seemed forced, and there were a couple of very small historical errors, but should be good for discussion!

I read this slowly, because I know it will be a long time before another of her books comes out, but I had to read quickly through the last third, as the momentum and suspense picked up. It's classic Louise penny, and I love it. I do think that may be there was a little bit less of the cozy village feels, and more of the twisty mind games.

This was a perfect Saturday core-distracting listen. It's great to hear her voice, and I appreciated all the Atlanta connections. She's quite relatable, and her work stories are fascinating. She's definitely the kind of smart, supportive, interesting friend I would enjoy having.

I always love Elizabeth Strout's books. What is it about her writing – so simple & conversational, and yet so evocative and true? She reminds me of myself and so many of the women I've known. And she captures so much with her diction and dialogue. I thought that the ending made it even more interesting, and eager for more. I hope she isn't finished with Lucy and William. I need to review how Lucy is connected to Olive, who is mentioned occasionally in this book.

This is a masterpiece. I listened, but plan to go back with the text to mine for pieces to bring into my lectures and classes. The research here is impressive!

This was an entertaining read with an extensive cast of characters. I was listening and multi-tasking, so I had a hard time keeping track of who was who, especially for the first third or half of the book. I would have liked more Gwendolyn ... and the dog ... but I enjoyed other characters too, including the indomitable Nellie (a badass matriarch). The plot had good twists and turns, and I'd recommend this if someone wants a light historical fiction, with a bit of mystery, and a few spunky and smart women characters. (I was a bit underwhelmed with the ending, however.)

I was too impatient for this book; maybe it would have been better for me to listen. It reads like an extended and reflective memoir wherein the author and/or the narrator is processing the death of her complicated, vibrant, and differently-abled mother. I appreciated her insights and candor, but right now, I need a bit more plot and distraction from my fiction. Like some reviewers here, I found the mystery around whether this is memoir or fiction or auto-fiction kind of distracting. Still, I recommend this for anyone who has a bit more patience in their reading or listening, and is interested in thinking about memory, grief, motherhood/daughterhood, and writing. The author/narrator is a writer who describes the craft with authority and sympathy.

I decided that I can't give this book a certain number of stars. It's quite long, amazingly detailed, tragic and comedic, moving, and gut wrenching. I didn't realize what I was getting into, and found the audiobook to be too difficult for getting through the difficult first half. Being able to skim pages of hard material was helpful. Kingsolver depicts humanity in all its forms. Nothing is simple. The book kind of reminded me of The Goldfinch, but bleaker. She loves her homeland and it's people.

Maybe some will find this novel a bit sappy, but I loved it. Rarely do I tear up when reading, but the emotion and poignancy moved me several times in the last third. This book reminds me of
Elizabeth Strout's books
A Man Called Ove
Sam Hell
This novel is beautifully written and, despite the unlikely conceit of how these characters find each other, honestly explores the depth of grief and the power of friendship.

Exciting read, and impressive history telling.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one — another listen. The beginning reminded me of Harry Potter, because she's so capably captures the innocence, vulnerability, and creativity of children. Later sections were a bit predictable at times, but I appreciated the characters as adults as much as when they were children. This is a particularly good book for people who like stories of England, World War II, the arts, and theater.

Not my usual read (listen), but a good book friend recommended it. I loved the atmospheric feel – rainy, windy, dark Halloween on a remote island – plus the plot twists & turns. The characters were unlikable, which usually bothers me, but the book was a welcome distraction & entertaining.

This was a fun, light, easy read. It might be nice for a beach trip or a long trip where you want to take your mind off of what you're doing ... or not have to think very hard. You do have to have the willing suspension of disbelief because there are ghosts in the story who have “speaking” sections, but the characters are lovable & sympathetic – all damaged in one way or another as children — . They come together in a lovely coastal setting with magical birds & yummy food. There was one element of the ending which I did not like; it didn't seem fair to one (or 2) of the characters, but otherwise, a satisfying ending too.

Entertaining Summer listen. Good characters. Some of the story set ups seemed unbelievable to me. A family like this (v educated and well to do) not getting therapy or discussing what happened ... for years? I suppose that happens.... Other points kind of unlikely too. Still thought provoking and interesting. It was pretty sad throughout, so I found my spirits flagging some.

I read this in one sitting, and I recommend looking at other reviews after you finish it. It's such a clever story that has me thinking now. Good taste, bad taste, the publishing industry, fabrics, people, money. Thanks to Ann Patchett for recommending it in one of her Friday Instagram reels. This is a fun and funny one! I think that it would be enjoyable to discuss with friends.

I enjoyed this memoir, especially the parts about her life and feelings. A few sections felt a bit repetitive and dense with inspirational one-liners, but I did appreciate her enthusiasm, honesty, and impressive life story. I think that young people will especially benefit from reading about her early struggles and later triumphs. I loved listening to her read it, and I enjoyed when she spoke as her mother with her strong Nigerian accent. As a Peloton fan, it was fun for me to get a glimpse inside that world and to understand how Tunde became such a visible and loved leader there.

This was a fun listen. I like time travel stories, and this added a compelling father-daughter story. Some people were bothered by the cat who lives a LONG time, but that added to the magic for me. I also enjoyed the bond between the two school girls and then adult women.

Smart and clever. Maybe too Northern Europe for me? Kind of dark and severe.

I enjoyed this, just design joy all of his books. DS is clever and insightful. I was kind of surprised at his revelations about his dad. And, I understand how other people here felt it was too dark, but I appreciated that he was honest about the past couple of years for us as a country and for him personally. I don't want him just to laugh out loud, but to recognize the humanity and reality he observes.

This was exactly what I wanted: funny, mostly light, interesting, encouraging, and really smart. I listened, and I think that made it even better because Randy read it himself.

Fun and funny, I enjoyed listening to this a lot. Eager for the next one!

A brilliant novel. Really impressive dialogue, story lines, character developments. As many have said, it's surprising that a book about gaming could hold my Gen-X attention so well, but Zevin made it work well. I will be thinking about these characters and some of her choices for a while, and I'm eager to discuss. The surprising event toward the end felt a bit forced to me, but it did serve her ultimate narrative arch. My other complaint is that it felt like such a downer so much of the time. But I do think the book is an outstanding achievement and I'll be recommending to others. Now I want to look at her other books.

This is not my typical read, but it was an easy accessible library listen. It kept me engaged, and thinking about mortality, predestination, and a life well lived. It definitely requires a willing suspension of disbelief, but I was impressed with all of the permutations and possibilities that the author anticipated and explored. It was contrived, of course, but if you like time travel, this is a bit similar. Also, I wish that an editor had told this young author to recalibrate how children of a certain age play, but otherwise, she did a good job also with themes that come out of Covid, politics today, and current debates about our rights and what divides us.

This is a lovely story that really drew me in. I was listening, and for the last two hours I couldn't put it down. It's sweet and warm, much like the main character, Tova. The young man, who figures prominently, is annoying, as other readers have noted, and I don't feel that his age in the story worked with his behavior and attitude. But I think that the author felt compelled for reasons that are clear when you read it. I love a story with a good animal character, especially when you get to hear his or her thoughts, and this delivered on that also. Marcellus is quite lovable and salty. It seems like she left room for a sequel, which I would happily read.