Kristine Laco

Jones has done it again! She has a way of crafting captivating characters that make you turn a page and Pebble & Dove is not different. The mother daughter relationship was real and raw that you just wanted to wrap them both in a hug and force them to talk. And why and manatee brings the whole book together? We'll, why not! Pebble (the manatee) as her own character is charming and moody and just wants to be loved. Perfect!

This was a tough beginning. Trigger warning: sexual assault. The payoff is worth getting through the hard stuff–surviving the hard stuff is the point of this memoir. Boudreau brings a new perspective on her polyamorous relationship while navigating the essential work of learning to trust again to heal.

What an engaging and fun read! I thought all the characters complimented each other very well, and it was a spritely whodunit. H was hysterical; Harry was charming and sweet; Edward a complex and exciting addition to the crime-fighting team. But not nearly the MOST interesting. That, you will have to discover for yourself! It is the strength of the protagonist and her naively charming approach to larger-than-life problems that make you want her to succeed. Anyone who loves her wellies as much as Nat does is welcome in my home any time. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Is there anything more relatable than a stream of consciousness? Now couple that with a breakup. I loved this book because I could tell exactly what the main character, Maggie, was going through. Her actions on the surface did not match her inner dialogue because she wanted to be fine, but she was far from it. This could have been a book about grief, but because it was a breakup, it allowed for lots of humor. Delightful!

Wow. Lindsay has been through the wringer. This memoir really hit home–not that anyone called me retarded (what the hell?!) or belittled me in the same way as Lindsay's family did. What I understood were the episodes she was having. She described what happened to me in my second year of university exactly. Our diagnosis may have been different, but it took me back to a very harrowing time which meant I was rooting for her the entire book. If you liked Educated (and I know you did), then you will also like The Woo-Woo. The snapshot of her crazy upbringing will make you appreciate your own dysfunctional family just a little bit more :D

Kaplan has an effortless style and conversational voice. I've been reading essays more lately, and her compilation was engaging and relatable. Well done!

What a fun story of a man and his dog on the adventure of a lifetime. Dad and Sawyer set out to hike 555 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Their adventure takes a turn when Sawyer goes rogue, and the tale becomes a chase.

Charmingly penned with humour and plain speech. Lovelace puts words into Sawyer the dog's mouth to hear his thoughts and they seem genuine and funny. I like to think of my dog as funny, so I accepted the talking dog fantasy with ease.

This is a quick read that will make you smile. Next time, give us a little more ;)

Whew! I raced through this novel. Weaver wrote a page-turner for her debut so I can't wait for her next book. BTW If you don't like Eden at the beginning (I didn't), keep reading.

A strange mix of math and humor makes this book work. I listened to it on Audible and you can tell why the author makes a living as a voice talent. She is a charming narrator and an even more charming storyteller. This unique look at building a show had me taking extra long walks plugged into my phone. Thanks Haley, for the extra calories burned!

This was a fun group of essays. As with any anthology, there are stronger voices and weaker ones, but they found a group that all had a uniform feel and even voice. Well done.

What an enjoyable book! Do yourself a favor and try this one on audio if you have the chance. The production value is amazing. A plane of teenage beauty queens goes down on a deserted island. However will they manage without a team of primpers? But they more than manage, they thrive. But not everyone wants them to thrive as a secret plot is revealed. Will the beauty queens show they are more than just a pretty face? You know they will, but how they navigate it is truly hysterical!

This was a quick book of inspiration. The author took a stroll by the sea and picked up shells then used those to craft metaphors for relationships. I wasn't much in the mood for inspiration and thinking, so I gave it four stars. But I can see myself picking this up when I'm in a more introspective mood and upping it to 5.

I feel like this series is my dirty little secret. I wouldn't normally reach for this genre of mystery. I'd lean towards a more literary slant but I can't help but follow Ms Plum and her crazy antics. I wish I could but I've already reserved number 4 from the library. I think it is the love interest keeping me hooked. Will they, won't they?
This series will definitely travel with me.

I truly enjoyed this read but found the time jumping hard to keep up with if I put the book down. Her thoughts on spirituality were inspiring. Worth the read.

I can see why this was an Oprah pick. A recovered addict and formerly incarcerated thief, we see Lara pick up her life and find herself. This will convince you about the strength of mothers and the power of the human spirit.

This series of books is fun and flirty with a touch of crime drama. A perfect palette cleanser book between heavy topic memoirs or edge-of-your-seat thrillers. Great beach reads.

The Stephanie Plum books are my guilty pleasure. When I finish a difficult book (In this case Braiding Sweetgrass), I need something I can lose myself in. Stephanie's adventures with the underbelly of her community are entertaining without being an onerous read. You don't need to begin at the first book, I did, but each stands on its own. If you are headed to a beach, this would be a good series to bring with you to the towel.

I listened to Mary read this book and didn't think I would love it. But, when I finished, I ordered a hard copy because her poetic use of language is something to be appreciated and pondered and maybe even highlighted.

This is a story of recovery and finding a higher power. More than that though, it was about forgiveness. Forgiving her mother (we met her in The Liar's Club and forgiving seemed a big ask!), and forgiving herself. She starts the book with her writing career and her beginnings as a poet, her love affair with her husband, and the drink. Then she sorts herself out in the way of detangling a rope left under a bench–one knot at a time.

I didn't expect to like this as much as I did or be moved by the poetry she shares. Such a heart-tugging story makes reminds me that being vulnerable in writing is not being weak.

“How much smaller the large places are once we're grown up, when we have car keys and credit cards.”

I took this book on holiday wanting an easy and fun read. Sunshine Nails did not disappoint! The family was perfectly dysfunctional but their genuine love and support for one another, were admirable. Competing nail salons in Toronto as a basis for the action, certainly rings true as a frequenter of those establishments. So much fun to think about what might be going on past the rows of polish. Maybe not so polished after all!

What an entertaining read! I recognized some settings which was fun. I thought the two main characters were easy to root for and their story believable and charming.

I listened to this book, and the narration was lovely. Napolitano has such an easy story-telling style that translates well to audio. Even with the dual timelines, I understood what was going on and loved the protagonists. The ending was a touch short, but still satisfying. I guess I just wanted more of this family!

I decided to read nothing but the classics for August and 1984 was on the list. I don't remember reading this in school as most people did (and having completed it, I'm sure I would remember the rat scene if nothing else!).
Since I've finished it, I understand why it is so picked apart in school. There were so many unanswered questions at the end, I longed for a group of people I could discuss the whole thing with.
Sigh.
It is also scary how true it felt for our present day. A parallel with the media divisiveness comes to mind. I am glad I read it, but it will sit with me for a long time. Guess that's the point.

So many people and so many guesses how this book would end.
All wrong!
Stuart was the master of misdirection in this one. She seems like such a lovely person in real life, but I wonder if I should be a little concerned living in her neighbourhood :-)

WOW. What a childhood! Dowd grew up in a family-run cult. I could stop the review at that because you already know the subject is going to be rough to get through and you'd be right. The brief descriptions of how she used the forest for sustenance, though, gave the reader the reprieve from the rough stuff we needed and it was truly a fun add.

This essay collection will make you feel seen as a mother–new or seasoned. We all think the things Pepler is saying, but rarely have the guts to vocalize them. You will laugh with her and remember the time worst of your parenting moments with a new appreciation and sense of humor.
Chapter headings say it all...
“I want to be a park dad”–me too.
“The slow and tragic death of Santa Claus”–RIP
“Places I have failed”–the title of my next memoir :)
“My job is not a hobby”–!!!