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Reviews by Monica P. (Cleves, OH)

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The Personal Librarian
The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Loved The Personal Librarian (2/21/2021)
I really enjoyed reading this one. I love reading historical fiction based on real people, especially ones I know nothing about, and The Personal Librarian did not disappoint. Such interesting characters with the added intrigue of a secret life. I will definitely be recommending this fascinating book to my bookclub.
The Narrowboat Summer
The Narrowboat Summer
by Anne Youngson
A Pleasant Read (11/16/2020)
I enjoyed reading The Narrowboat Summer. I learned a lot about canals and narrow boats which were two things I didn't know I would be interested in. I can't say that I necessarily liked Anastasia, but Sally and Eve had enough depth to keep me wanting to hear more about their lives. This was the perfect book to take my mind out of our current world and if the author writes a sequel, I would happy to read more about all the characters in this book.
Ruthie Fear
Ruthie Fear: A Novel
by Maxim Loskutoff
I'm Blown Away (5/25/2020)
I just finished this book a few minutes ago and I sit here stunned and emotional. So emotional I'm not sure what to say. This story was way out of my usual genre, but oh my!

Every sentence was beautifully and poetically written and sometimes that was the only thing that kept me reading. The unique and gritty storyline was not always comfortable to me, but I'm glad I stepped out of my box. This was not written as fluff and I imagine the author agonized over these pages.

Would I recommend this one? You bet I would, but be prepared because it's no beach read and I mean that in a good way.
The Prisoner's Wife
The Prisoner's Wife
by Maggie Brookes
Surprisingly Good (2/15/2020)
I wasn't expecting to like this one as much as I did. It took me a good while to get into The Prisoner's Wife, but once Bill and Izzy we're captured I couldn't put it down. The brutalities of the POW experience were graphically described, especially for Izzy. I do feel a bit dissatisfied by not being able to find out what happened to Izzy's family and to Ralph but otherwise, I totally recommend this book.
Renoir's Dancer
Renoir's Dancer: The Secret Life of Suzanne Valadon
by Catherine Hewitt
Renoir’s Dancer (4/11/2018)
This is my favorite kind of book. Nonfiction that reads like a novel and is packed full of information. While reading it I was constantly googling the artwork and the artists. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and learned so much. Definitely recommended.
A Place for Us
A Place for Us
by Fatima Farheen Mirza
A Place For Us (3/14/2018)
This is a moving and very well written book about a family with two daughters and a troubled younger son who feels like he doesn't fit in. The dynamics and the dysfunction of the family, along with the religious culture and their love for each other, will stay in my memory for a long time.
Only Child
Only Child
by Rhiannon Navin
Only Child (1/4/2018)
This a very well written book told from the perspective of a six year old who not only survived a school shooting, but lost his ten year old brother in the tragedy. The way the chapters are arranged makes for a compelling story and I was very glad I read it. The characters are very real and the little boy manages to wade through some pretty deep emotions on his own. It would make an excellent movie.
Mothers of Sparta
Mothers of Sparta: A Memoir in Pieces
by Dawn Davies
Courageous book (9/11/2017)
Dawn Davies has a talent for writing so eloquently that you laugh when she laughs and hurt when she hurts. She makes herself totally vulnerable and opens up her life for all to see. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing her perspective on various parenting escapades and then I came to the chapter with the same title as the book. It's deep, moving, brave stuff and I salute her for living her life with grace and courage. Excellent read.
Happiness
Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After
by Heather Harpham
This book! (5/25/2017)
Oh my! This wonderful, scary, profound tale of hope and love! First of all, there is something about the way the author tells the story that kept my attention, but it's the actual story that touched me so deeply. Parental love, partner love, friend's love, it's all here and more. Would I recommend this one? You bet I would! Be prepared to be deeply moved.
The Twelve-Mile Straight
The Twelve-Mile Straight: A Novel
by Eleanor Henderson
A future classic (4/25/2017)
I can't say I necessarily enjoyed this rather sad story, but the writing was superb. This would make a great bookclub read. The characters were well developed and their intertwining connections kept me interested to see what happened next. I would definitely recommend this one.
The Typewriter's Tale
The Typewriter's Tale
by Michiel Heyns
Disappointed (12/26/2016)
This book was a struggle to get through. I hated the writing style and really stopped caring about the story midway through. It just wasn't my style at all and I can't recommend it.
Castle of Water
Castle of Water: A Novel
by Dane Huckelbridge
Pleasantly Surprised (12/9/2016)
This one was more a delight than I would have suspected. I felt I was right there on the island with the couple. The descriptions were great and I was intrigued the entire time. A pleasure from beginning to end.
Rise
Rise: How a House Built a Family
by Cara Brookins
Inspiring (10/25/2016)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story of a family who beat the odds after living with domestic violence and mental illness. Although at times it seemed a little bit too simplified, I appreciated their tenacity and loved the way it brought them together in a healing way.
The Next
The Next
by Stephanie Gangi
Still Reeling (7/15/2016)
Ahhh, talented literature at its best. The descriptions are so good that at times I couldn't read more than an hour or so. It was so intense I almost couldn't take it. This is no light beach read. This will have you feeling all the feels. Love, revenge, illness, motherhood, sisterhood, being a woman, being a daughter, fear, insecurity in relationships, ageism. Even being a dog. I had to take this one in sips, not gulps, but WOW!
Falling
Falling
by Jane Green
Enjoyable beach read (6/4/2016)
Jane Green is one of my favorite authors and Falling did not disappoint. It kept me guessing and a few times I skipped ahead because I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen with Emma and Dominic. All in all, the characters were identifiable and I recommend Falling to those who appreciate a good love story with a twist.
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