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Reviews by Susan L. (Alexandria, VA)

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Three Days in June
Three Days in June: A Novel
by Anne Tyler
Three Cheers for Three Days in June (12/11/2024)
Anne Tyler does it again. This spare novel reveals deep characters with flaws and depth. In just three days, Tyler reveals the most important parts of their lives. The struggles, regrets, pivots, moments of forgiveness, and hope. It has it all. Tyler, known for her …more
Beast of the North Woods
Beast of the North Woods: Monster Hunter Mysteries #3
by Annelise Ryan
Not so Beastly (11/7/2024)
This was a fun cozy mystery sprinkled with cryptids and other creatures. As the third in the series, it would have helped to have read the first two. Some of the character references and relationships would have had more depth and context. But I had fun reading the book. It …more
The House on Biscayne Bay
The House on Biscayne Bay
by Chanel Cleeton
Atmospheric Novel (1/4/2024)
Cleeton weaves an atmospheric, gothic novel in The House on Biscayne Bay. While the start was a tad slow for me, once I got to the dual timeline it took off. I was engaged and intrigued to see where the mystery would lead. Marbrisa came alive with its gardens, animals, and …more
The Stone Home
The Stone Home: A Novel
by Crystal Hana Kim
Sad Historical Story (12/4/2023)
The Stone Home wrenches the heart all the more for the truth behind the story. Eunju and Sangchul (and all the other characters) represent so many women and children who were torn from the streets of Korean and interned in homes that were little more than prisons and death …more
This Is Salvaged
This Is Salvaged: Stories
by Vauhini Vara
A Collection of Loneliness and Loss (8/29/2023)
This is Salvaged captured the essence of grief, loss and loneliness. Each story had its own voice, perspective and cast of well-drawn characters. Each was a world of its own. Some worlds I connected with more than others, but they all succeeded in saying something unique …more
The Gifts
The Gifts: A Novel
by Liz Hyder
Angelic Tale of Strength (4/5/2023)
The Gifts reveals the heart of five women caught by circumstances beyond their control. Three are transformed. One is broken. Another finds the truth. Each of the women must face her own path and purpose. Ultimately this is a book about strength and courage. The courage to …more
Zig-Zag Boy
Zig-Zag Boy: A Memoir of Madness and Motherhood
by Tanya Frank
All too familiar (2/26/2023)
This is a heartbreaking tale of a mother's journey into caring for a child who has lost touch with reality. It brought back so many emotions of staring down the same path with my son. Frank found a way to move forward despite the chaos and fear. I applaud her bravery and …more
The Empire of Dirt
The Empire of Dirt: A Novel
by Francesca Manfredi
Beautiful Writing, Lacking Story (7/11/2022)
This book contains some beautiful sentences, but the story didn't hold together for me. It tended to wander and try to pursue too many points, none of which fully satisfied. The story of the three generations of women in a small Italian town living in a broken down house in …more
Some of It Was Real
Some of It Was Real
by Nan Fischer
More Than a Romance (3/31/2022)
This romance is about more than just falling in love. It tells the story of two flawed people driven by their past and ambition. Pitted against each other, they find redemption in the truth and in acceptance. I quite enjoyed the book and will look for more by this author. …more
Fencing with the King
Fencing with the King: A Novel
by Diana Abu-Jaber
Fencing with the Truth (12/31/2021)
This book will transport you to the desert and sing to you of times past. It was written so well it practically had sand in its pages. A beautiful story of a woman finding herself while facing hidden truths about herself, her family and their secrets. I missed Jordan after …more
Ariadne
Ariadne
by Jennifer Saint
The Life of Ariadne (5/13/2021)
This retelling of Ariadne's life is stunning. The language pulled me in despite knowing how the story ends. Jennifer Saint brought Greek mythology to life. Her descriptions, characters and tragedies resonated with me. I felt for Ariadne, her sister, Dionysus and enjoyed the …more
The Prisoner's Wife
The Prisoner's Wife
by Maggie Brookes
The Prisoner's Wife Captured Me (3/4/2020)
This book tossed me into Izabel's life with all its risks and stress and held me captive. It was an amazing tale made even more so by the fact that it was based on a true story. The characters had such courage and determination. It is a story that reveals both the horrors …more
Welcome to the Pine Away Motel and Cabins
Welcome to the Pine Away Motel and Cabins
by Katarina Bivald
Pine Away Makes You Think...and Feel (1/5/2020)
This quirky little book starts out with a ghost reflecting on her life and continued existence in a small town in Oregon, but it doesn't stop there. The story weaves the past with the present, life with death. It is a story about beliefs, family, friendship, connection, and …more
The Big Finish
The Big Finish
by Brooke Fossey
The Big Finish (11/11/2019)
The Big Finish is a close look at the choices we make and where we end up. Duffy is forced to come to terms with his past as he helps a young girl all while facing the specter of being tossed out of his nursing home and forced into a place he'd rather avoid. Duffy is a …more
The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt
The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt: A Novel
by Andrea Bobotis
inventory of a Life (7/11/2019)
This Southern novel is filled with deeply drawn characters who see the world, and the items that fill it, from vastly different perspectives. The characters were flawed, broken and yet strong. I loved the way Judith's inventory captured not only the items in the home but …more
Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever
by Joshilyn Jackson
Never Have I... (5/19/2019)
Missed reading a book by Joshilyn Jackson. She is a favorite author. This book is a huge departure from her usual Southern stories, but should appeal to those who love thrillers. It is tightly wound with surprises along the way.
Greek to Me
Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen
by Mary Norris
Greek Immersion (3/13/2019)
Norris indulges her love of all things Greek in this book and shares her passion for the language, both modern and ancient, as well as for the people and culture of Greece. The book was a delightful introduction to a land that changed and influenced language itself.
The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
by Anissa Gray
Ravenously Hungry Girls Delivers (10/29/2018)
The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls is a tale of three sisters and how their lives play out as adults of a tumultuous past and how one sister's children pay the price of her mistakes. It is a raw book filled with trauma, demons and the aftermath of abuse. Gray …more
Sold on a Monday
Sold on a Monday
by Kristina McMorris
Righting Wrongs (9/15/2018)
It's impossible not to care for the characters in this book. To watch them make mistakes, then work to make it right. The premise of a fateful photo that doomed two children was compelling and kept me turning pages. Beautifully done.
The Travelling Cat Chronicles
The Travelling Cat Chronicles
by Hiro Arikawa, Philip Gabriel
A Cat Knows... (5/9/2018)
This book is a study in belonging and acceptance. It is a book the reveals itself slowly and methodically, with the studied and measured movements of a tea ceremony with meaning in every moment. This quiet book builds to an ending that will wreck you. It is the tale of how …more
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