I'm not exactly sure what this was. A dystopian, sci-fi novel? A culinary novel? A lesbian love story? A story of redemption? In the end it was okay-Zhang can write, but a lot of the book tries to hard, for my taste. For such a short novel, it tried to be too many things at once. For me this lacked focus and a point.
A bittersweet read, with Anne Perry's passing earlier this year, this is the last Christmas story. Focusing on Charlotte Pitt's Grandmother, Mariah. Perry takes on a Christmas tale of cruelty and redemption. As with the other Christmas novels, we get to learn more about a minor character from one of the series that Perry is known for, this allows for a greater understanding of the characters within the Christmas novel as well as the series from whence they originally came. I'll miss the Christmas novels almost as much as I'll miss Anne Perry's presence and work in the world.
My Top Ten Books I've Read in 2023
10.) My Sister the Serial Killer By: Oyinkan Braithwaite
A delightfully funny look at a very complex relationship between two sisters; one who is always looking out for the other, and one who has a tendency to kill. I kid you not-it's very funny! The ending will throw you for a loop!!!
9.) Killers of a Certain Age By: Deanna Raybourn
A group of women are about to retire after 40 years in their business, only to find out that they've been marked for termination...did I mention that the business they are in is the assassination business. Join the fun as this group of women, all 60+, investigate who is trying to kill them, why and the ingenious ways in which they avoid being killed. A lot of fun!
8.) Nottingham By: Nathan Makaryk
A retelling of the popular Robin Hood myth with a contemporary take on language and characters. So much fun and absolutely fascinating. You won't look at Robin Hood the same way again!
7.) The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies By: Alison Goodman
A regency romance, without the romance. Lots of intrigue surround two sisters, who choose to go against the grain of society, time and gender expectations to help out others who aren't able to help themselves. Ingenious plotting and delightful characters, who always surprise. Brings new meaning to Girl Power!
6.) The Song of Achilles By: Madeline Miller
History likes it's never been written before. I adore Miller's writing and the way she can put the reader into the story. I never thought I'd be sobbing during a book about Achilles-but that's what I found myself doing. That's the power of good story telling and great writing!
5.) The Invisible Life of Addie Larue By: V. E. Schwab
A time traveling, love story, that does NOT go where you think it will. Think Dr. Faustus meets The Time Traveller's Wife with whiplash pot twists and ingenious characters.
4.) Age of Vice By: Deepti Kapoor
A very unlikely hero, some very horrible conditions and situations, a lot of characters and many subplots, in the hands of a lesser author could be a convoluted mess. This is not the case with Age of Vice! Gripping, engaging, moving, this novel has everything, and moves at a rapid pace, without losing the reader!
3.) A Disturbing Nature By: Brian Lebeau
One story-two perspectives. Each perspectives is told at its own pace to match the characters, sometimes rapid, sometimes languid. Both perspectives moving like two trains heading to to an inevitable conclusion...and yet it's not the conclusion you think. A thriller/mystery with enough red herrings to keep the best armchair sleuth guessing. An absolutely fantastic read!
2.) The Covenant of Water By: Abraham Verghese
With his usual gorgeous imagery and stunning words, Verghese takes the reader on a generational journey of a family and community tied together by a bizarre illness to water. Verghese's work is absolutely stunning and a must read for anyone who enjoys master storytelling!
It's amazing how Verne manages to include a crap load of science into his books without making it dry and boring. Using the journey within the book, to explain how such a journey could be possible, is ingenious! On top of that, it's just a really good adventure story!
I didn't have high hopes for this one, because it was a freebie and usually those aren't very good-but damned if I didn't get sucked into this one! A great story, really intriguing characters and great action.
A trio of in-between novellas from 3 popular cozy authors and their three popular series. My favorite is Barbara Ross'. She always manages to take an interesting and creative take on the topic of the collection, which always sets hers apart. If you aren't familiar with these series, these in between novellas are a perfect introduction.
In desperate need of an editor! Too many words missing, too many words in the incorrect tense, too much of the story missing.
I know I'm expecting too much from a short; and I'm more than familiar with "willing suspension of disbelief", but this one stretched everything to the limit!
An obvious and sappy storyline that made Lifetime movies look like high literature!
I thought I was reading a trashy romance, and somehow an actual story snuck in! A delightful surprise!
A delightful and information cookbook. Simple recipes with thoughtful substitutions to change them up. The decorations are more involved but great detail and insight are used to make it less daunting a process.
After reading a lot of heavy lit, I ordered a bunch of freebie gay erotica to cleanse the palette and just having something fun to read. This totally fits that bill. Typical "crush on the coach" story.
Exquisite writing creates vivid portraits of 7 women all living in the same depressed neighborhood. All from diverse backgrounds, all unique in their own strength and purpose, their tales collide at the wall that separates Brewster Place from everywhere/everything. Using an economy of words, Naylor beautifully captures these amazing women and their struggles and triumphs.
Covering 1850 to 1950, this delightful book captures Lynn's creativity, growth and people and all aspects of life. A perfect snapshot of a diverse and bustling city.
As a lover of history and a 25 year resident of Lynn, this was a fascinating look at the city I now call home. Using postcards to tell the history of the city, is an ingenious way to tell the story of the city's growth. Especially fun to see buildings back in the day, that are still standing and in use.
Now this is how you write a compelling saga that doesn't condescend to it's readers!
I've not read this particular series before, so I was thrilled to discover that it's just as good as the other Jance series. A sheriff up for re-election and everything in her jurisdiction and in her home life seems to be imploding all at the same time. Add to that the intense Arizona summer and you've got a hot thriller of a read!
A fun romp through a rehearsal of a new musical pre-Broadway. A score that will put the composer/lyricist on the map and a leading who is giving a star turn, and a leading man who can't act, sing or dance. Someone isn't going to make it through Act II! This soon to be submitted manuscript is fun, and has several twists despite its short length. needs a bit of tightening in group dialogue scenes, but a good read!
WOW! It's is an intense read through one man's journey through illness. The reader follows our protagonist through feeling unwell, to diagnosis, treatment and to the brink. Does the power of our conscious and subconscious have an affect on our physical health and recovery? These are the questions posited and beautifully explored in this compulsive read.
This is how you tell a story!!! This novel is told with an economy of words, but they are the right words. Reads at a break neck pace, you won't want to put it down! I didn't!
An intense journey with a teenage girl, who finds herself moving to Alaska in the late 70s. Full of wonder, heartache, violence, love, guilt and redemption, this wonder of a novel will leave you in awe.
A scarily realistic look into the mind, thoughts and feelings of a 16 year old boy, as he deals with a life altering circumstance. Told with out a sugar coating, yet with a great deal of heart, humor and empathy. A lovely read.
A second go around on this one, and I was even less thrilled with it this time, than I was the first time. Not a lot of details on the investigations, just a laying out of what happened and then the outcome, if there was one. Very meh.
Twin sisters get embroiled in several exciting and dangerous adventures in the Regency period of England...what's not to love about that?! Society ladies who are not good at being seen and not heard are always fun when they use their feminine invisibility to outwit the bad guys! Great adventures, great dialogue and a great read. Here's to more Augusta and Julia and their ill-mannered ways!
I can't rave enough about this gorgeous sequel! There aren't enough superlatives to describe the utter glouriousness of the continuing story of Ari and Dante. This picks up exactly where the first book left off and we follow the boys as they map out their lives in their final year of High School. At times hilarious, at times anger inducing, at times heart breaking, yet always heartfelt, respectful and loving.
Every now and again I like to revisit this fantastic comic book series. An ingenious, exciting and fascinating retelling of the King Arthur legend, with gorgeous artwork. Tome 2 contains books 7-12.
