Audrey
Personally, I'm not someone who believes in past lives, so until this book was presented to me, I never thought of it to be a focus in a fictional plot. My curiosity was piqued!
The book begins in modern times, following Adam through a turbulent time in his relationship with Fiona. Adam eventually finds an interest in exploring his past life. There, the story shifts to 1836 where we see Adam/Augustus and his relationship with a girl named Roselyn.
I loved the writing and ease of dialogue. For some reason though, I was thrown off by the time period switch despite knowing it was coming. Thankfully, it didn't take too long to switch gears. I found both halves of the stories strong and with promise for an equally compelling continuation.
A huge thanks to the author for reaching out and offering to send me a free copy of the book to read and review! I opted to read this via KindleUnlimited.
I've read a number of books from the Girls Survive series and so far this is the first book that hasn't been a solid winner. Maybe it's because I was alive for this time in history unlike the other events I've read about. Whatever it was, I felt that something was lacking. On the morning of September 11th, 2001, twelve-year-old Molly hears an explosion outside of her classroom window. Before the kids can figure out what's going on, the entire school is being evacuated. Refusing to leave without her seven-year-old sister Adeline, she breaks away from her teachers to find her. Molly, Adeline, and Molly's friend Zach desperately try to make it home as they witness the attacks unfold. There were a lot of side details that didn't need to be included in the story which ate up several pages that would have been better spent on the Twin Towers. Had I not read previous books in the series I might not have questioned it as much, assuming the details were being watered down for young readers. However, that hasn't been the case in most of the other books I've read. Not shying away from the depth of the tragedies is something I've admired and what keeps me coming back. That's not to say Molly and the Twin Towers excluded the details, but it spent more time on Molly's life rather than the tragedy itself. (For example, multiple pages about reading books that didn't correlate to the plot at all. If anything, it just tells the reader that Adeline is easily spooked, but any child or adult alike would have been in fight-or-flight mode in that vicinity. A sentence or two would have sufficed.) Again, I don't know how much of my own experiences with that day/time influenced my thoughts while reading. I'm sure a child who had been born after this date would still learn something, though I wouldn't consider it to be a thorough history lesson. Ultimately, I'm glad it was included in the series at all given how far back in time some of the other books go.
I'm always up for a book that brings me into the 1970s (and the overlapping years). This one achieved this and then some. As someone who listens to a lot of music from this era, it was exciting to read about some of the things behind the scenes, especially from the perspective of a female Roadie — something unheard of at the time Tana Douglas got her start.
The book is engaging and reflective, touching upon the author's career more than personal life. There is some backstory, but most of the facts going forward are left vague. I had mixed feelings about this because while I respect the decision to keep things private, there was enough information divulged throughout the book that leaves the reader hanging. At the same time, I liked that the focus was on the industry and not just the individual. I never realized all that goes into a concert, especially before today's technology.
From AC/DC to Iggy Pop to Elton John to The Police, several bands and performers are mentioned in this memoir. While the recognition of so many artists is full of nostalgia (even speaking as someone who wasn't around for the height of their fame), the heart of the book is Tana Douglas' journey from runaway to a pioneer for women in the music industry.
A huge thanks to HarperCollins/Harper360 for sending me a free ARC to read and review!
It was such a pleasure to read another book by E.B. Roshan! I found this to be a pretty unique book, too, given it features illustrations. Set in an alternate version of England during the Edwardian era, this cozy mystery is filled with wit and lots of flowers.
Though the plot does focus heavily on the book's mystery (stolen orchids, tigers, etc.), it is also a largely character-driven story. Admittedly, I didn't find myself latching onto Opal as the protagonist. Her preference for flowers over people is endearing in theory, but as a whole, I didn't find myself feeling much for her during ups or downs. The supporting characters, however, I thoroughly enjoyed, particularly Opal's sister. I'd almost like to see an offshoot in her POV. I also liked the inclusion of prosthetics, which given the time, was largely the element of fantasy here.
Having previously read Wrong Place, Right Time by this author, I had no doubt that the writing itself would be good. The flow of the book is fantastic and everything came together nicely in the end making for a satisfying read from start to finish.
As I mentioned, the book also includes illustrations which I found to be a charming addition. Who says grown-up books can't have pictures? It was such a nice touch, especially given it was both written and illustrated by E.B. Roshan.
A huge thanks to the author for sending me a free digital ARC of the book to read and review!
This is the third book I'm reading by E.B. Roshan and it was a treat as always. For Better and Worse is the fourth book in the Sevia series but it could potentially be read as a standalone. I've read the first book in the series and this book is the continuation.
Pregnant and nearing her due date, Anna is fearing now more than ever what it will mean to raise a child as war rages on around them. Boris is reluctant to leave Dor, more focused on saving his business — even if it means putting his family in danger.
I enjoyed this book even more than Wrong Place, Right Time. The recurring themes of love and forgiveness filled my heart (especially where the book is written from a Christian perspective). The characters and relationships are realistic and relatable. Mixed in with the dystopian setting, it's an all-around fantastic read.
A huge thanks to the author for sending me a free digital copy of the book to read and review!
Aside from The Chronicles of Narnia, I haven't read much of C.S. Lewis' writing. It's something that I've been meaning to remedy and I finally got around to listening to this audiobook that's been sitting in my library.
This collection of essays focuses on, naturally, topics of education and its importance and value. It also discusses quite a bit about life during wartime and Christianity. The essays weren't as lengthy as I'd imagined, though it made for quicker listening. When reading them back to back they begin to sound repetitive, but overall not a bad collection. I would have preferred this as an ebook.
Full of suspense, heart, and intrigue, [b:Kick Ball Slay: An Introduction to West Coast Swing... AND a Murder Mystery 60692333 Kick Ball Slay An Introduction to West Coast Swing... AND a Murder Mystery Doug Dorsey https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1648272994l/60692333.SY75.jpg 95680988] is the perfect murder mystery with charming characters and a strong start to a new series.A gifted detective, Evann Myrick is tasked with solving a series of murders connected to the West Coast Swing competition. The murders don't stop because someone is on the case. The killer seems to be one step ahead of Evann no matter what. His work is cut out for him with so many possible suspects.This is the second book by Doug Dorsey I've read and I enjoyed it as much as [b:The Betrayal: Book 1 of 3 in the Blue Lotus Project 60334730 The Betrayal Book 1 of 3 in the Blue Lotus Project Doug Dorsey https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1644243452l/60334730.SY75.jpg 95070009] despite the different genres. It's a testament to the quality of the writing. I love mysteries that make me think and can only come up with a hunch as to who's done it at best. The dance element also added a lot of character. Top-notch!
Wonderfully atmospheric and written with both strong and delicate writing, Out of Human Sight is a dark and terrific historical read.
The story centers on Mille Bradbury who begins the book with the shock of her life — the discovery of two dead bodies. News travels fast in a small town and soon enough, travels across the country making Millie and her family accidental celebrities. Here to take Millie away from this unwanted fame is Johnny Barkwell. What she didn't anticipate was being taken across the ocean to a new country.
The historical voice of the narration feels authentic to the 1800s give or take a bit of the content. The characters also felt true to the time, especially once Millie enters marriage. And while the plot has a strong and mysterious start, I'd say this quickly becomes a character-driven book (which I always love). It's both charming and full of grit. And though I didn't get as much into the mystery as I anticipated, it's always nice to find a strong protagonist.
A huge thanks to the publisher, Northodox Press, for sending me a free digital ARC to read and review!
Farrah Glickman hasn't had an easy life. After being released from a mental health facility (guarded by toxic parents), she is appointed a therapist who instructs her to keep a diary. Going back through traumatic events in her life, she tells her story and finally begins to open up.Narrated by Farrah, the writing is raw and cuts no corners. It's a grisly look at what was a grim life to start. As well as being character-driven, there's also quite a bit of intrigue which I hadn't expected going in. Always a treat. There's a lot to unpack in under 250 pages. Farrah is an interesting character study, especially in interactions/relationships with other people. I liked the contrast between her overall narration and her journal entries. Her reaction to this exercise also packed a wallop. [b:Now That You Have Seen Me 56786456 Now That You Have Seen Me C.L. Roberts https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1611354120l/56786456.SX50.jpg 88762998] is the epitome of dark humor. What a ride this was!A huge thanks to the author for reaching out to me and offering to send a free copy to read and review! The book can also be found on Kindle Unlimited which is where I opted to read it.
I didn't intentionally read this book so close to the anniversary of JFK's assassination, but in doing so, the story hit deeper given the way it's written.
Jumping back and forth between Oswald and the scene with Kennedy, End of Days: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy tells the story of the assassination from A to Z. I'll say it's more focused on Oswald and his motives, but we get a lot of Jackie's perspective toward the end as well.
The writing was strong and brought me to tears a couple of times, making the tragedy feel so current. I imagine the impact would be even stronger for someone who was alive during that time. What I didn't like was how vigorously it changed perspectives and that there were a lot of gaps in the chain of events. I also tend not to trust books that start and end by saying that this is the only possibility and you're wrong to question otherwise. I'm not someone who makes it a mission to disprove the official story no matter my opinion on it, but I'm automatically going to be suspicious of any take that discourages further questions (the same goes for books on the conspiracy side). These comments gave the book a negative tone. Otherwise, it was an emotional, albeit bare-bones, take on 11/22/1963.
Charming! I was in the mood for a cozy mystery and this didn't disappoint. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
I always forget what an exciting setting this time and place in history makes for novel settings. I'd hoped to be posting this review before the US publication date, but I was so invested that I took my sweet time.
As the Tsar begins to fall and the revolutionaries rise, The Countess of the Revolution follows Countess Sophia Orlova, her family, and her friend Regina. Thanks to her husband Dmitry's brother Nikolai, they are spared execution early on though the brothers save opposing views on the revolution. Inspired by his efforts, Sophia helps Nikolai set up a hospital. Working side by side and getting to know him better, problems aside from both of their lives being in danger arise for them.
I liked so much about this book, but the pacing is my highest praise. I didn't find that the story dragged anywhere. Another thing I enjoyed was that the characters each had morally grey areas all the while maintaining a likableness. I was invested within the first few pages and maintained my interest from start to finish.
A huge thanks to Harper360 for sending me a free ARC to read and review!
This is the second book I've read recently that I was made aware of from the movie adaptation. Though this book is a rare case where I like the movie better, I still enjoyed the book immensely.
There are a few plot lines that make up the book. First and foremost is the disappearance of Stephen's daughter years prior. He's haunted by her memory, certain that one day he will find her. With this comes the separation from his wife, Julie, who has moved into seclusion to grieve in her own way. Stephen misses her and wants to reconcile though finds it a lost cause. Meanwhile, he carries on in his professional life the best he can. On this end, he must deal with the mental decline of his friend and publisher, Charles.
As the title suggests, the book ponders the perceptions of childhood and time and how those two things intermingle. Ian McEwan writes solely from Stephen's POV allowing a deeply introspective narrative. To a modern audience, the prose may border on cliche or is an outdated style. I personally enjoyed this, especially because Stephen is blunt in his selfishness and observations. Above else, I enjoyed the psychology behind the characters and the emphasis on how people experience grief in different ways — even between people with a shared trauma.
Mysterious with a hint of romance, Faces & Lies turned out to be something of a unique mystery read for me.
Devin Marques isn't having an easy time of it. She's had her home broken into, she's being followed, but supposedly there's nothing that can be done about these things. She ignores it the best she can as she prepares for a horse show. However, when her groom goes missing, she starts taking this all a bit more seriously.
It took me a little while to get into this one, mostly because I don't do well when harm to animals is shown/involved. I wasn't super into the romance part of the plot, either, but the mystery was good. I liked the cryptic messages at the start of several chapters. It was a good touch. It was also interesting reading a book involving a horse show. I can't say I've ever read a book with this as a backdrop before, at least not in my adult life.
A huge thanks to the publisher for sending me a free digital copy to read and review!
I can't say I've ever sat down and read a dictionary from cover to cover before. [b:The Lexicologist's Handbook: A Dictionary of Unusual Words 61445682 The Lexicologist's Handbook A Dictionary of Unusual Words Dane Cobain https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1657852231l/61445682.SY75.jpg 96989365] isn't your run-of-the-mill dictionary overwhelming in length. The pages are full of the more fun words in the English vocabulary. What I like most about this book is that the pronunciations are presented phonetically. Some words I knew had different pronunciations than I had always assumed. There were some new words I learned as well. The definitions are easy to read accompanied by their use in a sentence. I plan to revisit this book with a notebook sometime and write down the new words I learned.A huge thanks to the author's team for sending me a free copy of the book to read and review!
For the past year, Isabelle Drake hasn't had a good night's sleep. Really, she's lucky when she manages to get an hour or two. It started when her son, Mason, was taken and has yet to be found. She doesn't care what measures she has to go to find the culprit be it attending true crime conventions or investigating her neighbors. But as memories of her childhood begin to surface, she starts to wonder if maybe she is the one to blame.
The book jumps around three key points in Isabelle's life: Her childhood with her sister Margaret, meeting her now ex-husband, Ben, and the present day where she meets a true crime podcaster whom she eventually agrees to do an interview with. The timelines are woven together wonderfully and are full of suspense.
I found the characterization to be rich and the most enjoyable part of the story but I loved the plot as well. Though there were certainly predictable moments, it still had a twisty vibe and little details were placed well that they can get pushed to the back of the mind until they're brought up again. Super atmospheric, too.
The writing style isn't my favorite but I didn't notice the over-description so much on the audiobook version. However, I did find the narrator a little bit overdramatic. Not in the sense where it was read more like a drama, but rather that so much of it was read in a half-whisper. It distracted me. Otherwise, she did a good job.
I read A Flicker in the Dark last year and found it just okay. All the Dangerous Things greatly surpasses it in my mind and I'm very excited to see what Stacy Willingham has in store for us next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a free audio copy of the book to listen to and review!
In the age of the internet (and before that, television), radio was the form of mainstream media. Like our media today, it shaped the way people viewed the world. In this account of the airways post-World War II, we focus on poetry and the dawn of FM.
Focusing mostly on the 1950s-1960s, Lisa Hollenbach lays out a history of radio poets such as Allen Ginsberg, Susan Howe, and several others, their impact on society, and the struggles they such as censorship and politics. Naturally, there's a focus on the Cold War era as well.
I can't say I was engaged from start to finish, but I definitely found the book informative. I learned a lot and it's a section of history I've never given much thought to. I was impressed that I did know some of the names mentioned here. Given it's under 300 pages, it's not a taxing read yet doesn't feel like it's leaving out large sums of information.
Thanks to NetGalley and University of Iowa Press for providing me with a free digital ARC to read and review!
Though I can't personally vouch for it, history tells us that 1968 was a year of mayhem around the world. This book takes us to Paris during the Spring-Summer of that year through protests, strikes, and all of the devastation in between.
In 2019, Anna dedicates herself to learning about her mother's past in the wake of her death. She travels to Paris on this endeavor. From there, the book follows Bethany in 1968, an American girl studying abroad for a year. It's a turbulent time for the city and Bethany finds herself in the midst of the riots and protests and the lasting effects they have on her and her friends' lives.
A lot of interesting subjects are presented and discussed throughout the story, mainly Communism vs. Capitalism. The writing is strong and each of the characters brings a unique personality to the pages. A particularly interesting supporting character is Stefan, Bethany's friend and lover. There are a lot of intricacies of the plot to keep up with which I struggled to keep straight at times, but the end comes together nicely as the reader is brought back into the present day.
A huge thanks to the author for sending me a free digital ARC of the book to read and review!
As a hobbyist writer myself, I instantly loved the concept of this series. A group of college students/writers competing for greatness in a sixteen-week creative writing course? I'm in.
The first in a series of sixteen novellas, we follow the nine students along with their works. Each of the characters brings their unique style and talent to the pages with some excerpts of poetry, scriptwriting, short stories, etc. The general narration connects everything together with a polished wit.
This book was a lot of fun and a great start to what promises to be an interesting and unique series. Though the humor wasn't consistently in line with my own sense, I did laugh out loud a couple of times. I'm looking forward to seeing how this series progresses. Such a fun idea!
A huge thanks to the author for sending me a free digital ARC of the book to read and review!
I love thought-provoking works of literary fiction, especially when they pull me out of my comfort zone. Eloquently written, Other Worlds Were Possible poses many questions about society as we know it today.
The book follows Sunny, a member of the Eagle Clan, as he's confronted with outsiders infiltrating their homeland. These people bring foreign ideas; money, religion, hierarchy, and so on. Sunny questions these things, trying to understand them while also trying to make strangers understand the beliefs of the clan. Could there be war?
Joss Sheldon is a strong and unabashed writer able to flow effortlessly from dialogue to a more introspective style. This is a book that makes you think. Though I can't say I see eye to eye on some of the viewpoints, I appreciate the way they were presented and articulated. I certainly haven't read anything quite like this before.
A huge thanks to the author for inviting me to read and review a free digital ARC through BookSirens!
After a brief introduction in the A Bookworm of a Suspect anthology, Jessica Baker has embarked on a new cozy mystery series. This time the story is set in the present, however, it maintains a classic feel all while incorporating elements of fantasy.
Lenore loves nothing more than writing stories on her great-grandfather's old typewriter. As she's working on a novel, she starts to notice strange things happening around her. Almost as though the story is coming to life... Cats and ravens appearing out of nowhere, missing jewelry... Lenore tries to put the pieces together, but ultimately it's the new face in town, Sean, who brings the conclusions.
I'm not usually one for books bordering on the paranormal. If I read one it's only under very specific circumstances. But of course, I'm going to read anything Jessica Baker writes. I'd file this one under magical realism which I do enjoy when done well. And it is! The story is charming and captures a wonderfully cozy small-town feel. I'm looking forward to book two.
A huge thanks to the author for sending me a digital ARC! I have also preordered my physical copy.
Didn't read this one as a daily Lenten reflection but instead in one sitting. I plan to revisit it next year.
I hadn't heard of Evelyn Waugh or any of his books until a couple of them were mentioned during a homily. Helena piqued my interest the most given the subject matter and a line that was quoted. I've heard of St. Helena by name but didn't know much about her story.
The author stresses at the beginning of the book that this is very much a fictionalized take on Empress/Saint Helena pointing out that not much is known about her life. Here, we imagine her as a young girl and follow her journey into marriage and royalty, motherhood, and later her conversion to Christianity through the influence of her son Constantine. Much later in her life, she sets out to find the relics of the Holy Cross.
I really love the concept of this book, but the writing falls flat for me. It's both slow and fast-paced. The time often jumps to another mid-chapter with little to no explanation of how someone or something gets from A to Z. Despite being titled for the main character, we don't get to see a lot of internalization or depth to Helena.
While I didn't love this as much as I'd hoped I would, it was still an interesting read. It's left me curious to read a few of Evelyn Waugh's other novels.
I've been on a major UFO kick lately and this book was a grail of information.
Spanning the years of 1941-1973, this book discusses various documented and undocumented UFO sightings as well as government involvement and denial. A majority of the book consists of eyewitness accounts across the country.
The book's organization is fantastic. Each event is told chronologically and sorted into sections. The pages are jam-packed with information. It's easy to see why this is the first of two volumes. Despite the amount of information, it didn't feel dull or dry.
There's something about Adriana Trigiani's writing I really love. This book was pretty fun, too, because in a strange way, it was giving me similar vibes as [b:Daisy Jones & The Six 40597810 Daisy Jones & The Six Taylor Jenkins Reid https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580255154l/40597810.SY75.jpg 61127102] only a different era.Chi Chi and Tony are on their way to stardom in the 1940s. Newly married, they also have to face the questions surrounding starting a family. Can they balance a career and home life? We follow them through the decades through their professional and personal ups and downs.While I can't say I enjoyed this as much as [b:The Good Left Undone: A Novel 58065358 The Good Left Undone A Novel Adriana Trigiani https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1643670426l/58065358.SY75.jpg 91007519], it had a similar heart to the writing. It runs long though. I would have enjoyed it more if it'd been a slightly faster pace. I have mixed feelings about Chi Chi and Tony's relationship, too. However, I do love getting to see the plot span such a long period of time, so there was a lot of give and take for me.