Nazi Officer's Wife

 I have been intending to read this book for quite a while.   My mother has been recommending it for quite some time.   This piece of non-fiction reads a lot like a historical fiction novel.  I think I especially related to the book after assisting my son to study for modern world history last school year.  I learned more about the Russians and Bolsheviks than I had previously known.  This book talks about the Kristallnacht as a real experience, not just a concept.  It was quite interesting to read about history in first hand rather than by history books.  

I found it amazing how the German citizens were only provided news and stories that presented the Reich in a positive manner.  It is amazing how unaware they were to what was going on during the war.  I must admit it does give me a bit of a fear when the news media in the US seems to be reporting narratives rather than facts in the current era.  It seems like it would be very easy to have a similar experience here today if citizens did not chose to listen to both sides of the narratives and other countries perspectives as well. 

The Nazi Officer's Wife: How One Jewish Woman Survived the Holocaust by Edith Hahn Beer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars 

This story is amazing and is written like a historical fiction novel. Edith Beer provides an enlightening account of her experiences living as a Jew in Germany during WWII. Her story vividly describes the experiences and emotions she and others like her experienced during that horrific time. There are some amazing revelations of how in the dark the Germans were about what was going on around the world. 

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Literary Escapes-  Austria
2. 52 Books in 52 weeks  #16- Borrowed from a friend
3. Book List Queen #25-  Recommended by a Family Member 
4. 20 in 20:  #Read20in2020 NF #18 a wartime book
5. Beat the Backlist #BeatTheBacklist2020  book rec from a friend
6. 2020 TBR  #2020TBRReadingChallenge #4 friend recommendation 
7. TBR Book # 58  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon
8. Memoir    #16 Written by someone from a country different from your own
9. Historical NonFiction  Book #4

84 Charing Cross Road

84, Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff is a delightful read that explores the long lost art of communication by letters.  This is a series of correspondence between Helene and Frank, an employee of a book store in London.  What begins as a business relationship ends up becoming one of friendship.  The letters are insightful into the world of London just after WWII ends and the rationing that still remained.  The letters give glimpses of the political fronts of both countries at the election of Churchill and the campaign of Stevenson.   The series of letters is a wonderful glimpse into the lives and careers of both Frank and Helene.  I am certainly glad I read this book.  

 I originally selected this book as a non fiction read for the epistolary book but ended up discovering it was written the year I was born so I was able to use it for that prompt as well.  It was a quick, enjoyable read for this time of the year.   

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars 

This proved to be a very charming and heartwarming book. I really had no idea what to expect when I selected it. It was a fascinating experience to watch the relationship between Helene and Frank grow over the years. The sarcastic nature of both their tones is hard to pick up initially but really added to the book as you read along. It is amazing to watch Helene's career grow alongside their correspondence. All in all a good book. 

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #134
2. 52 Books in 52 weeks  #6- Written in the 1970’s
3. Book List Queen #51- Borrowed From a Friend 
4. 20 in 20:  #Read20in2020 #11 An epistolary book
5. 2020 TBR  #2020TBRReadingChallenge #2- book published the yr you were born
6. TBR Book #57  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon
7. Monthly Motif   #MonthlyMotifGXO-  Everything nice- as a feel good book
8. Memoir     One you want to reread
9. Historical NonFiction   Book 3

Artemis Fowl

 I selected this book as my choice for Book becoming a movie in 2020.  It is definitely not a book I would normally have selected.  The interesting part for me was how Artemis Fowl is not at all what I expected him to be in multiple ways.  

The world that Eoin Colfer has imagined is quite intriguing and has an interesting explanations for Leprechauns and other magical creatures.  This is a great book for a child who has a vivid imagination and also likes logical/mystery type books.  I ended up enjoying the book after I settled into it as it wasn't what I was expecting at first.  The characters grew on me and they are quite well developed.

Now I just need to go watch the movie.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars 

enjoyable Middle Grade book I read for some 2020 book challenges for book becoming a movie in 2020. I found myself growing attached to the characters as time progressed in the book. It was possible to find redeeming aspects of the antagonists by the end of the story. There was some very clever plot twists/deeply thought out strategies. Now I am curious to watch the movie 

View all my reviews

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Book List Queen #1- Book Becoming Movie in 2020
2. NJM #NJMBookChallenge2020  #5- a book made into a film/tv series 
3. 2020 TBR  #2020TBRReadingChallenge #3- novel that will get a movie adaptation in 2020
4. TBR Book #56  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

 I had never read any works by Maya Angelou previous to this autobiography she wrote in 1969.  I was absolutely engaged in how well she wrote a piece of non fiction in a manner that felt like you were reading an novel.  Her stories are heartfelt and at times terrifying.  Her choice of tone and words to represent her young self is amazing and it is easy to imagine being right there with her in Stamps, Arkansas in the 30s and 40s.  It was interesting to read about segregation from a black person's perspective and to see how the differences were perceived by the black community.  I also found it interesting to see the contrast in her experiences in St. Louis versus in Arkansas.  

I selected this book as one that had been banned for banned books week for a challenge.  This book was banned in the 1980s in Alabama as being inflammatory towards whites.  Her words are reflective of her experiences and her childhood.  I do not feel this book or others from previous generation should be banned.  In fact they provide an important glimpse into the era and the growth we have seen in our country.  Excluding the literary works or altering them due to inflammatory words, depictions or words no longer acceptable in society is a form of cancel culture.  The language included in the works was reflective of the time or is intended to convey the environment in which they were written.  They are part of history just as much as the Odyssey and Shakespeare.  We wouldn't  alter those works to fit modern language and we should alter books such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings or Huck Finn.  

I am glad I selected this work.  Reading this autobiography provides a glimpse into the difficult life of someone who rose above her struggles and found a way to excel in the US and to leave her mark on history.  I would very much like to read more of her memoirs to learn more about her life as she grew up and was an influence in the Civil Rights movement and as a poet and educator.  

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
My rating: 4 of 5 stars 

Well written memoir that reads like a novel. Just an amazing story. I didn't know much about Maya Angelou before reading this book. What an amazing rise above a heartbreaking childhood. Angelou does an amazing job describing the childhood of a black woman raised in the South in the 30s and 40s. She depicts it accurately without accusations. I feel this has a much bigger impact that drawing too much hatred into the work. I will read more of her memoirs to learn more about this woman's life. 

View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Literary Escapes-  AR
2. AtoZ and Alphabet soup challenge #AlphabetSoupChallenge "I"
3. Popsugar- #popsugarreadingchallenge  39- read a banned book during banned books week 
4. Around the Year in 52 Books- # 47- A classic book you've always meant to read 
5. 52 Books in 52 weeks  #40- A book on the Mensa reading list for grades 9-12
6. Book List Queen #38- A Modern Classic
7. Wizarding World Tour  possible categories
• Beauxbatons:   Read a book about or written by someone you respect.
8. 2020 TBR  #2020TBRReadingChallenge #8- novel that was banned
9. TBR Book #31  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon
10. Memoir  #8 Written by a person of color
11. Historical NonFiction   book #2

Crime and Poetry

 

This book is the first in a series by Amanda Flower.  I had not previously read any of her magical bookshop series and wasn't sure if I would like it as I am not always a big paranormal cozy reader.  I have previously read and enjoyed her Amish candy shop series.  This book is based upon the concept that the waters of the spring in Cascade Springs, NY hold special powers.  It was a interesting underlying concept that was carried out well across several aspects of the book.  There is a nod toward the Native American beliefs that the waters hold special powers and this is alluded to by the town Police Chief as part of his heritage.   Additionally, the town actually has a reputation for tourism based on the spring water that is sold by a company based there.  This is an area of upstate NY next to the Niagara Falls and there are some beautiful descriptions of those Falls as well as the countryside in the area surrounding Cascade Springs.  

I ended up enjoying the book and look forward to reading more in this series by Amanda Flower.  

Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower
My rating: 3 of 5 stars 

This cozy took a bit of getting into for me, once i got through the first few chapters it captured my attention but before that I found myself putting it down to chose another book. Once I started reading it though I really enjoyed the book. The mystery was well laid out and there were a few clues that lead you to figure out who was guilty before it was revealed but it wasn't obvious. Flower kept you guessing between different suspects and there was a good twist at the end. The mystical component of the book is important but not extreme so if you don't generally chose paranormal I would say this is a good book to read to see if you would enjoy the genre. I look forward to reading more in this series particularly since there are several strong female leads complimented by male counterparts. 

View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #
2. Cravings for a Cozy and Cloak and  Dagger #CloakDaggerChal : Book # 92
3. Cruising through cozies -  Free choice 36
4. Medical Examiner-  2 Toe Tag 
5. Six Shooter- 2nd shot
6. Beat the Backlist #BeatTheBacklist2020 Book #44
7. TBR Book #53  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon

Vox

 This book by Christina Dalcher is a thought provoking book to say the least.  I found it unsettling at times to read particularly given all the uncertainty and division currently being experienced in the world with Covid and the protests.

While the author approached the subject of silencing women as a result of a fictional Pure movement grown out of the religious right, I can see it being a situation that results from the radical left as well.   The cancel culture and not allowing people to speak up if they don't agree with the liberal agenda is also a reality.  Given that much of the media represents news with an opinion attached and a narrative they wish to push, it can be envisioned as a "new world" instituted by either extreme edge of the parties in the US.  

This book is a very engaging and thought provoking book.  I would really hate to live in a world like this that is certain.  The storyline with its intrigue and suspense is very well written.   Dalcher's character development is well done and really allows the reader to feel empathy, anger and disgust at the different characters.   You can sense the helplessness Jean feels and the frustration she feels toward raising her son, Stephen, and how he is absorbed into the Pure movement.  As the parent of a teenage boy, I can envision how easily children this age are swayed to believe in causes as presented to them by adults who's purpose it to convince them to believe in their cause.  

This book is chilling and will keep you thinking for days after finishing it.  It definitely asks the reader to decide what would you do to save your family and to what extremes would you go.  The suspense and drama grows throughout and has a very unexpected ending.  

A great read. 

Vox by Christina Dalcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars 

Very engaging and thought provoking novel. Definitely puts you on edge and makes you reflect on what can happen if the extreme radical fringes of politics succeed in controlling/fooling the general population. Set as a situation where the ultra religious right have silenced women literally. Just as easy to view it being the extreme left of politics as well. It's a reminder of why we should all pay attention and engage in the political process in the US
Dalcher writes a great novel that develops her characters in a way that you watch them grow and evolve even though the book is only about a week in timeframe. The point of view is just from Jean's perspective but the dialogue and self reflection she undergoes during the book gives glimpses to others perspectives and actions as well. There are many surprises and a very shocking ending in the book. Be prepared to think about this book for days after reading it 

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #104
2. Literary Escapes-  DC
3. AtoZ and Alphabet soup challenge #AlphabetSoupChallenge  "V"
4. Popsugar- #popsugarreadingchallenge  #32- with a made up language 
5. 52 Books in 52 weeks  49- About a World Leader
6. Book List Queen #44- A Book About Politics
7. What's in a Name #3   4 letters or less 
8. Beat the Backlist #BeatTheBacklist2020 book #43
9. TBR Book #31  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon book 52
10. Monthly Book Award-   #GXOAwardReadingChallenge  Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award

The Perfect Nanny

 This thriller is not for the female faint of heart.  The author does a wonderful job of building up to the climactic tragedy in the story.  You really felt as though you knew the characters and could understand their roles in the family dynamic.   Leila Slimani does a wonderful job of portraying them all as likable and repulsive at different moments in the story.  Her representation of the working mother and her guilt and doubts of never being enough is well done.   

My only issue with the book is it felt like a sudden ending without a resolution to many of the aspects of the story.  We never get the full background of Louise and what made her the way she is at the time of the story.  There are glimpses but not enough concrete to answer all the questions about why she acted as she did at the end of the story.   The book just leaves the reader hanging and I found myself wanting more explanation and feeling disappointed after really liking the book up until those last 40 pages or so.

The Perfect Nanny by Leïla Slimani
My rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Chilling thriller

This book.is spooky and disarming but keeps you reading even when you're terrified of the outcome. Slimani does an amazing job at getting into the minds of the characters. You cannot help but have a bit of sorrow for Louise and wonder what drive her to her vicious acts. The immense impact of mothers guilt is apparent in Myrame. 

While I did find the book very engaging I did come away wishing we had been given more background explanation of how Louise came to this point in life. Also a bit more closure on her relationships with Stephane and Nerve would have added to the story. even though I enjoyed the book.and found it engaging, I finished the book feeling like I had a lot of unanswered questions so that's why I didn't give it 4 stars 

View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #97
2. Cloak and  Dagger #CloakDaggerChal : Book # 83
3. Medical Examiner-  2 Toe Tag 
4. Around the Year in 52 Books- #31- A book inspired by a leading news story
5. Book List Queen #19 Based on a true story
6. 20 in 20:  #Read20in2020 #14 translated to English
7. NJM #NJMBookChallenge2020  #16  translated from another language
8. Wizarding World Tour  possible categories
• Castelobruxo:read a book translated into your language
9. While I was Reading #5 based on a true story
10. Beat the Backlist #BeatTheBacklist2020 #7 author Intl to you
11. 2020 TBR  #2020TBRReadingChallenge #6 originally written in a foreign language
12. TBR Book #51  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon

Private the Games

 

This installment of the Private series is set in Rio in 2016 just as the Summer Games are about to kick off.  There is a different co author on this book and I think I might like Mark Sullivan's style with James Patterson a bit better than some of the other installments.  This book does a wonderful job of describing the socioeconomic and physical geography of the Brazilian city.

The storyline and its connection to poverty and wealth and the struggles to move the country forward without further impoverishing the  poor is on point.  It definitely creates a thought provoking inner dialogue with me as a reader of the book.  It is especially appropriate timing with all that is going on in the US and the world in 2020

The Games by James Patterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars 

This is a typical Private series book with lots of shooting and action. This time Jack Morgan is in Rio for the Summer games in 2016. The details of the city and the landscape definitely make it possible to visualize the scenery and the city as you read. The premise behind the story is a bit close to home with much of what is in the news today in US. There are some thought provoking aspects to the storyline. The book is part of the series but can be read in any order. 

View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #96
2. Literary Escapes-  Brazil
3. Finishing the Series-  #FinishingTheSeries2020   
4. Cloak and  Dagger #CloakDaggerChal : Book # 82
5. Medical Examiner-  10 Toe Tag 
6. Six Shooter- 6th Shot-  Target completed
7. TBR Book #50  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon  
8. Wizarding World Tour  
• Mahoutokoro: Read a book involving a sport
9. Book List Queen #29- A Book About Sports

The Woman in Cabin 10

 So,  I have to admit this book kept me up way to late into the night to finish reading it.   I just had to know how it ended.  It was very worth the lack of sleep.   

This was the first book I had read by Ruth Ware and I was a bit worried it would be over rated since so many people have been talking and writing about it.   I am glad it wasn't.   

Ware does a masterful job at weaving the story and clues through out but the ending is quite a shock. The story is told in such a manner that you feel all the stress and anxiety that the main character, Lo, is feeling.   It is easy to believe her but to also readily understand how others doubt the situation as she presents it.  

At first I wasn't totally sure about the opening scenes and their relevance to the story.  Upon finishing the book I think there might have even been more to the apparent random nature of the incident.   Given a similar experience by another prospective guest, I wonder if it is just truly a coincidence or was actually part of the bigger plan to ensure an empty stateroom aboard.  

This story is definitely similar to an Agatha Christie locked room scenario and Ware does a wonderful job of using the closed environment to create suspense and fear.   That being said, she has enough twists to keep you on edge and makes it more pyschological thriller thus keeping the reader from feeling it is too formulaic.    I look forward to reading more of her works in the future.

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
My rating: 5 of 5 stars 

This book is intense all the way through to the end. The story weaves so many threads and events that generate suspicion on the different passengers and also call into question our narrator, Lo. There is a pretty dramatic surprise that continues to build into more twists. The book seems to wrap up the story but then you cannot help but wonder if there is still more plotting going on. 

Ware tells a story that creates such suspense and drama that you cannot help but feel much of the anxiety and frustration that Lo experiences. All in all the character development and plot are very well written and there is enough of a twist to not feel formulaic 

View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #87
2. Literary Escapes-  Norway
3. Cravings for a Cozy and Cloak and  Dagger #CloakDaggerChal : Book  #72
4. Medical Examiner-  2 Toe Tag 
5. Six Shooter- new target #29
6. Mystery Bingo: 
   • Clues:  lipstick
7. Around the Year in 52 Books- #3 prompted to read because of something you read in 2019
8. Book List Queen #50 book you saw someone reading
9. TBR Book #48  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon

Chocolates with a Side of Murder

I decided to take the time to read one of my Kindle Unlimited books that had been sitting in my TBR list for a long while.   This is the first book in the Daley Buzz  series by Meredith Potts.  I found the writing a bit cumbersome at times but all in all I really enjoyed the book.   A bit too much detail in some parts and not enough in the actual mystery solving at times. 

It features a strong female lead, Sabrina, who dabbles in mystery solving while not working as a barista in her family's coffee shop.  Potts does a wonderful job of setting up the series and leaves the underlying back story as a continuing thread and motivation for the main character.  The supporting characters are a good addition and generally play the role they are designed for quite well. 

I look forward to reading more in the series with Caramels with a Side of Murder up next.




Chocolates with a Side of Murder by Meredith Potts
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Creative spin on a cozy

I enjoyed reading this book about Sabrina and her sleuthing. I realize this is the first book in the series and Ms. Potts was setting the storyline up including the back story. That being said it felt a bit jumpy at times. There was a bit too much internal reflection by Sabrina during the times she was questioning suspects. It made the story flow less smoothly. It felt a little info groups how it would be light hearted and about food and then the paragraphs of deep introspection would occur. I did enjoy the story and intend to read more of the series
I appreciated that Sabrina was a strong character and there are layers to her personality. Her relate with the other characters add to the story. Particular the twist that she's dating the detective in charge of the case and how they deal with it. I look forward to seeing how the series progresses and resolves the outstanding questions


View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Cravings for a Cozy and Cloak and  Dagger #CloakDaggerChal : Book  #71
2. Cruising through cozies -  Free choice 21
3. Medical Examiner-  1 Toe Tag 
4. Six Shooter- New target 28 for Meredith Potts
5. TBR Book #47  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon

Private Gold

This is a novella by Bookshots that fits into James Patterson's Private Series.   This one is set in South Africa, in Johannesburg, and revolves around the high crime and mining that are prevalent in that area of the  country.   I initially selected this book for the Popsugar challenge to read a book with Gold in the title.  As I began reading I felt the story rang a bell and sure enough I realized as I went along that I had read this previously.  Fortunately I didn't remember who was behind the nefarious act until the time when suspicion is being raised by the female protagonist.  All in all I enjoyed reading it again and the story rang true with the facts I am familiar with about Johannesburg and the struggles it is facing to rise above a criminal element.



Private: Gold by James Patterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyable quick thriller

This is a quick bookshot installment in the Private series by Patterson. I appreciated the female lead being worried and scared but not portrayed as weak and incapable. The storyline made sense based on the setting in South Africa. It wasn't too farfetched and felt like the obstacles that were overcome were feasible. All in all a good read


View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #85
2. Literary Escapes-  South Africa
3. Finishing the Series-  #FinishingTheSeries2020   Private Series book 2 in 2020
4. Cravings for a Cozy and Cloak and  Dagger #CloakDaggerChal : Book  #69
5. Six Shooter- 5th Shot for James Patterson
6. 2020 TBR  #2020TBRReadingChallenge #16 Africa
7. TBR Book #46  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon

Down the Rabbit Hole

This work is an anthology of short stories by JD Robb, Mary Blayney, Elaine Fox, Mary Kay McComas, and Ruth Ryan Langan.  These stories were based loosely around connections with the story of Alice in Wonderland.  They were each different stories that had elements of fantasy or science fiction.  Generally not genres I read much from but I thoroughly enjoyed this book and plan to read others like it.

I selected this book to cover 2 prompts for challenges this year.  The primary reason I picked it was to address the challenge of reading an author you previously disliked.  I had tried a book by J D Robb a few years ago and just could not get interested in the futuristic aspect of the story. I had selected it at the time because it was a mystery book and that is my preferred genre of choice.   I put the book down as a DNF and never intended to read it again.   This short story contained in the anthology was quite enjoyable and I may give the series another try as I did like the characters in the book.

The other prompt this covered was read an anthology.  I had not every read an anthology outside of a textbook for literature coursework.  I found myself enjoying the sampling of the works by the different authors and will possibly seek out more works by them.    I enjoyed finding the common thread in the stories as they related to the Alice in Wonderland theme.   I kind of created a scavenger hunt aspect to the book

All in all I am glad I selected this book this year and it is one of the few 5 star books I have reviewed.



Down the Rabbit Hole by J.D. Robb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Very enjoyable anthology of stories

I did not know what to expect when I picked this book out at the library. I ended up thoroughly enjoying all of the stories within. Most had a reference or alluded to Alice this n Wonderland. Some were romance based but all seemed to be about finding your moral truth and becoming a great partner for your relationship. I look forward to trying individual works of these authors


View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #83
2. Literary Escapes- Scotland
3. Popsugar- #popsugarreadingchallenge  #11 anthology
4. 52 Books in 52 weeks  #50 author you previously disliked
5. Book List Queen #11 short story or essay collection
6. TBR Book #44  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon
7. Monthly Motif   #MonthlyMotifGXO-  creature feature- rabbit

The Agatha Christie Book Club

This cozy mystery by C. A. Larmer is the first in a series.  It is set in Sydney, Australia and has some Aussie phrases in the story which took a bit of getting accustomed to.  For example they say arvo which I think means afternoon but I am not sure.

There is a group of characters that are centered around Alicia Finlay, the book club founder and her sister.   The other book club members resemble many of the characters in Agatha Christie books and the group/story references many of her works. 

The book club begins innocently enough but evolves into a crime solving group as a member of their group suddenly becomes a victim of an apparent crime.   The group works to solve it and in the process uncovers lots of other secrets. 

At times I found the story to have too many characters to keep track of but they each had a depth to them that was pretty impressive considering how many of them there were.   In addition to the 7 book club members we also meet the brother of one of the members and the immediate family of that member.   Larmer does a wonderful job of evoking emotional responses to the characters including immense dislike. 

The series definitely seems interesting and I will try to pursue reading more of the books.

The Agatha Christie Book Club by C.A. Larmer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I found this mystery set in Sydney to be a fun read. The characters are quirky and all seem to be hiding something which adds to the suspicion of who is the guilty party in the crime. This book is great for any Agatha Christie fan as the name would suggest and there are plenty of references to her works.

The story has a large number of characters and I did have trouble keeping track of them at times. This is the main reason I am giving it 3 stars instead of 4. Additionally, there were parts of the story that felt a bit confusing for me to follow and the timeframe of the story was a bit lost at times.

I did enjoy the story and would read more in the series if I was able to find them.


View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Cravings for a Cozy and Cloak and  Dagger #CloakDaggerChal : Book  #67
2. Cruising through cozies -  Free choice #21
3. Medical Examiner-  1 Toe Tag bludgeoned
4. Six Shooter- 1st shot target 27
5. Popsugar- #popsugarreadingchallenge #4 about a bookclub
6. TBR Book #43  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon

Ms Marvel Vol 1 No Normal

I read this book by G. Willow Wilson for the August Book award prompt for GirlXOXO and because it addressed the prompt to read a graphic novel. 

I found the format difficult to follow and felt I was missing much of the story.   The story jumped around a bit to abruptly for me to find it a smooth read.  This may be due tot he fact this is a compilation of several individual comic editions, but I am not sure.

I did find it well written in terms of addressing what makes someone a hero and how physical attributes though wished for may not always be what they seem.  I appreciated the struggles Kamala went through balancing being a teen and complying to her Islamic roots while wanting to fit into a typical American teen lifestyle.  Also she learns to trust her friends and family as the story evolves.

While I did find the main character to be inspiring and a great model for teen girls, I don't generally like this format.  I would not be interested in reading any additional installments in the series. 


Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the book and the diversity of the alter ego for Me Marvel. I had trouble with the flow of the story. Additionally I couldn't understand where she suddenly got her super power from.
I most liked the empowerment of an atypical hero and the perspective of the uncertainty of whether her powers were a good thing or if she didn't want them


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #82
2. 52 Books in 52 weeks  #27 comic book
3. 2020 TBR  #2020TBRReadingChallenge #19 ya book 
4. TBR Book #  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon
5. Monthly Book Award-   #GXOAwardReadingChallenge   Hugo award 2015

Penny Marshall memoir

I finished reading Penny Marshall's memoir, My Mother was Nuts.   The book is full of hilarious stories and some very poignant moments.   She is a great story teller and enjoys reliving the many moments in her television and movie making career.   Her book relives highlights of  her childhood and her relationships with her family.    If you enjoy reading about Hollywood and a true take on the how movies and TV shows are made then I can highly recommend this book.  It was absolutely enjoyable getting a backstage view of the Laverne and Shirley show as well as many of her movies she made through the years.   She has an amazing group of A list friends and many humorous stories to share about the memories she made with them.   

All in all this is a very good memoir that has you laughing as well as feeling a wide range of emotions.

My Mother Was Nuts by Penny Marshall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This memoir was an amazing combination of comedy and heartfelt honesty. Penny wrote a memoir that reads like a who's who of Hollywood royalty. The memoir was an interesting combination of family memories and the background stories of the movies she has been involved in over the years.
If you don't want to read about Hollywood partying you might want to pass on this book otherwise I can highly recommend this book


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. TBR Book #40  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon
2. Memoir   #11 by an actor or comedian

Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant

I selected this memoir by Roz Chast to fit the graphic novel memoir prompt for the challenge.  I ended up finding this book very relatable.  The author discusses caring for her aging parents.  She points out some of the aspects of handling it that are unique to being an only child so I could especially appreciate this piece.  The family dynamics can me pause and allowed me to reflect on my own family and to see the situation from a different perspective.

I am glad I read this memoir.  Her humorous approach helped discuss a tricky topic in a good fashion.



Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a very interesting approach to a difficult topic. I suggest anyone with aging parents read this book. It does a great job of showing that you are not alone in this progression and Chast does a good job of presenting the material in a funny manner without belittling the topic

Glad I read it


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #71
2. 20 in 20:  #Read20in2020 #17 illustrated book
3. Wizarding World Tour  possible categories
• Mahoutokoro: Graphic Novel
4. Memoir  Graphic Novel Memoir
5. Beat the Backlist #BeatTheBacklist2020 #24 indie book
6. TBR Book #44 #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon

Disappearing Earth

This novel by Julia Phillips was a totally unexpected hidden gem that I read with my book club for this month's read.  I admit I wasn't looking forward to the book as I was mislead by the title.  I expected a book about climate change etc and didn't really feel up to reading a controversial topic in the current climate of the US.   Well this book was not about that topic at all and I am glad I read it.

When I went to write my Goodreads review, I went back and forth between a 3 and 4 star rating.  I initially gave it a 3 because at times it felt like there were too many characters many of which felt unnecessary.   But after reflecting on the book upon completion, I decided the characters played a role in pointing out some themes in the story.   It demonstrated how the area of Kamchatka is a largely wilderness area but in the end there are not many degrees of separation among its inhabitants.

 The story weaves among different narrators as 1 year elapses.  As you read through the novel, the different narrators' relationships with one another become apparent. I do still feel as though some of the characters were potentially unnecessary but in the end they all had a connection to Marina in some tenuous way or another.   I think these relationships showed a sense of community that often gets lost in our society today. 

Additionally, the novel highlighted how there are forms of bias around the world.  In this case there was a perceived difference between Russians and the natives of Northern Kamchatka.  I found myself visualizing the native cultures as similar to those in Alaska, which turned out to be rather accurate when the author describes them as Aleut.   I definitely think having visited Alaska makes it that much easier to envision this area of the world. 

I also enjoyed the perspectives of the older generation versus younger and how they perceived the old USSR vs modern Soviet Republic.   It also felt as though there was a common idea of how many who grow up in small communities cannot wait to get out of those but then find they don't quite know how to acclimate to their new surroundings.  This book has many layers to it and probably could have been much longer and delved deeper into the characters. 

The last portion of the book picks up its pace and has the reader holding their breath to see the outcome.   Alas, the book does not provide a conclusion that many would prefer to see.  In fact, I read a review that describes the ending as being a low voiced f*** because you don't get to see how it ends. 

If you like books that wrap everything up in a neat bow and tell you how the characters go on with their lives or resolve conflicts, this is not going to be a book that leaves you satisfied.  If you are looking for a book that leaves you thinking about it for long periods after completing it, this is the book for you.

Disappearing Earth by Julia  Phillips
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dramatic story

This book was an fascinating story that centered around a mysterious disappearance. The approach of writing a month by month account from different narrators’ perspectives was interesting. At first glance it seems there are too many characters and stories going on. As the book progresses the purpose becomes clearer. Ultimately it seems to show how small a world Kamchatka is but also how big and diverse. The book touches upon the different cultures present and the different experiences they represent. I enjoyed the book


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #61
2. Literary Escapes-  Kamchatka Peninsula Russia
3. Around the Year in 52 Books- #30 A book from the New York Times '100 Notable Books' list for any year
4. Cloak and  Dagger #CloakDaggerChal : Book  #49
5. 2020 TBR  #2020TBRReadingChallenge #16 set in Asia
6. TBR Book #36  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon

The Murder of Twelve- Murder She Wrote #51

This book reminded me of the famous Agatha Christie, And Then There were None and oddly enough Jessica Fletcher draws that parallel during the case.   It really amazes me how many murder cases one person can come across in such a small town but Jessica Fletcher sure knows how to puzzle them out and come to a successful conclusion.  This book had lots of victims and lots of twists.

It was an interesting deviation from the normal group of crime solvers.  There was minimal involvement from Jessica's usual supporting cast.  Mort Metzger, Sheriff of Cabot Cove, and Dr. Seth Hazlett were only involved from a distance for most of the book.  Jessica had to puzzle it out with the proprietor of the Hill House hotel, Seamus McGilray and the wedding party members in residence with her during a major blizzard.  We did get glimpses of her PI buddy, Harry McGraw in this via the telephone.   I have to admit though when I read about him I always picture the actor who plays him on the TV show and more specifically with Lenny from Law & Order.  Adds a bit of a diversion from the story at times.

In the end the guilty party is identified and the story wrapped up.  It was not totally predictable or far fetched so it wasn't frustrating.   All in all it is an enjoyable light mystery that can be read fairly quickly. 


The Murder of Twelve by Jessica Fletcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Good and entertaining mystery. Jessica Fletcher sure does stumble upon a lot of murders in Cabot Cove. This one was a decent mystery with a few twists, some more predictable than others. It was a quick read that focused more on Jessica and the hotel guests/victims than her usual cohorts. She only interacted with sheriff Mort Metzger and Dr. Seth Hazlett at the beginning of the story and via telephone later. We got a bit of her PI buddy, Harry McGraw from a distance as well.

All in all a good entertaining light mystery able to be finished quickly.


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #60
2. Literary Escapes-  ME
3. Finishing the Series-  #FinishingTheSeries2020   - book 51 in series
4. Cravings for a Cozy and Cloak and  Dagger #CloakDaggerChal : Book  #48
5. Medical Examiner-  6 Toe Tag 
6. Six Shooter- 2nd shot
7. Mystery Bingo: 
   • Weapons card :  Car (carbon monoxide)  & Falling Object
8. TBR Book #31  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon
9. Monthly Motif   #MonthlyMotifGXO-  Number in Title

The Family Upstairs

This thriller by Lisa Jewell was fully engaging, sometimes downright creepy.   She uses 3 different narrators which adds to the complexity and the intensity of the story.  Jewell weaves a story that spans past and the present and she moves between the 2 eras very readily.  The story is a bit nerve wracking and you aren't quite sure if everyone is as they appear to be.   At times there were portions of the story that made me think of the VC Andrews Flowers in the Attic.  Dark and creepy with a sense of evil looming through the story. 

The characters are developed in such a way that the reader has emotional responses to them.  You cannot help but feel pity, anger, fear right alongside them during the story.  You root for them to find the resolution they are looking for and for it to have a happy ending.  I am not entirely sure there isn't a sequel on its way for this book based upon the ending and some unknown answers to some questions that still linger. 

All in all this is a very good book that I read in 1 day. I look forward to checking out additional books by Lisa Jewell.


The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chilling thriller

Wow is this an engaging thriller that is downright creepy times. I liked the style of having 3 different narrators the story is well written and Jewell does a great job of jumping between present day and the past. The reader is easily grabbed the storyline wanting to find out what really happened in the house in Chelsea. It is very easy to have emotional reactions to the different characters This was a definite page different kept me engaged


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #58
2. Cloak and  Dagger #CloakDaggerChal : Book  #46
3. Medical Examiner-  4 Toe Tag 
4. Mystery Bingo: 
   • Red Herring :  Forgery
   • Crime Scenes:  Attic 
5. Beat the Backlist #BeatTheBacklist2020 #8 
6. TBR Book #34  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon

Ninth House

I generally do not read fantasy novels but this one may be responsible for changing my mind about them.  I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.  The only reason I didn't give it a 5 star review is because I struggled to get into the story at first.  I put the book aside and kept prioritizing other books but with the library reopening I had to finish it to return it soon.  I am glad I did.

Alex is an engaging character, not necessarily likeable but you definitely find yourself rooting for her to succeed in her mission and to fit in better at Yale.  There are several mysteries underlying the storyline including solving 2 murders and the disappearance of her mentor, Darlington.  

Once I was engaged in the book, I couldn't read it fast enough.  The book jumped between different story lines but they all seemed to tie together at the end.  There is an unresolved portion that leads me to hope there is a sequel to the book.  Either way, I plan to read more by Leigh Bardugo.  

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While I took a little while to become fully engaged in the story, I ended up thoroughly enjoying this novel. I do not generally read the fantasy genre but I am very intrigued to read more by Leigh Bardugo and I truly hope this book is the first in a series. I found the characters to be complex and to grow to like them as the story went along. I appreciated that they all seemed to have good and not so great sides to them. Alex is someone that it takes a long time to get to know and I am not sure if you ever truly see the real Alex. Her relationships with her room mates and other Lethe members is a fascinating evolution and it is wonderful to watch as she struggles to open herself up to relationships and to find ways to trust others. She may not always be a likeable person but you cannot help but root for her to succeed in her mission. Dawes is also a complex character and I liked how Bardugo slowly reveals her character and evolves her working and personal relationship with Alex.

The story is very complex and at times required me to flip back to truly remember who was who and belonged to which society. The secret societies of Yale make a fascinating backdrop to the story and you can envision how the Yale campus and New Haven look through Ms Bardugo's descriptions.

All in all I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by the author

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are: 

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book  #50
2.  Cloak and  Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal-  Book  #38
3. Around the Year in 52 Books- #10  A book that is between 400-600 pages
4. 52 Books in 52 weeks  #51 A genre you don’t normally care for
5. Book List Queen #2 Goodreads winner in 2019
6. Beat the Backlist #BeatTheBacklist2020 #9 a genre you don't normally read
7. 2020 TBR  #2020TBRReadingChallenge #12 Goodreads winner
8. TBR Book #31  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon
9. Wizarding World Tour  
• Koldovstoretz: book involving magic
10. Mystery Bingo: 
    • Clues:  Dying message
    • Red Herring : Map