Wild and Distant Seas: A Novel
by Tara Karr Roberts
Wild and Distant Seas (10/26/2023)
What a joy it was to read this book. Although I am not a Moby Dick fan, once I started reading this, I was hooked. Beautifully written, the book just flows. The story follows four generations of women and their daughters. The tale of Ishmael is woven in as each new generation of women tell their story. Although it is heartbreaking at times, it was not a "dark depressing " book. Along with the suspense of each women's tale , a touch of magic, and the love that mothers have for their daughters , it is a book that has depth to it and well developed characters. I think it is going to be one of my favorite books for 2024.
The Kindest Lie
by Nancy Johnson
The Kindest Lie (2/5/2022)
It's been awhile since I read a book I wanted to finish. Thank you BookBrowse for sending it along. I was drawn in by just the writing. This book flowed for me. It was hard to put it down and I wanted more.The characters were well developed and I loved Ruth. Kindest Lie had everything I looked for in a novel.First, a character I could like and root for, I felt all her pain, joy and acceptance, This is what I would call a "meaty" book. An easy read, but so much more. In fact, I liked it so much, I picked it for my March book group.
The Temple House Vanishing
by Rachel Donohue
Temple House Vanishing (5/10/2021)
Temple Vanishing has an interesting plot. The mysterious disappearance of a student and a teacher. Sadly, as much as I liked the storyline, I found the book hard to follow. I often had to go back and double check who the voice was at that point in time. When I was reading, I would get pulled in, but within a few pages I would loose interest. Always a bad sign, I could never remember what I had read. I love mystery's, but I would never classify this as one. In the end it was mediocre and confusing. I never like to give a so/so review, but this time I felt I had to. I read it through to the end and was relieved it was over.
The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Personal Librarian (2/26/2021)
This is an incredible book about an amazing woman. A young black woman passing as white, entered the world of J.P. Morgan and conquered it. Taking a job as J.P.Morgan's personal secretary, she proceeded to help him create and build the Pierpoint Morgan Library. Based on a real woman, this fictional account brings to light and life Belle de Costa Greene. Amazing on so many levels, Personal Librarian is not a book to be missed. Never mind that the writing is excellent, the story is fascinating.
Stories from Suffragette City
by M.J. Rose, Fiona Davis
Stories from Suffragette City (11/4/2020)
Until now I had never read an anthology where every story was a gem. The writing was excellent. All the stories engrossing. All made me feel as though I was there. This little book gave me new insights into the suffragette movement. It made me proud of and grateful to all those brave souls who struggled so hard and against all odds. Whenever I vote, drive, do to a job of my choosing and a million other things, all of those women are with me. If this isn't enough, every story is just a great read. I really want to give it 10 stars.
The Sun Down Motel
by Simone St. James
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St James (11/13/2019)
Creepy, scary, intense , gripping....I can go on and on. Simone St James is one of my favourite authors anyway, but this time she has gone to a new level. I love a good ghost story and this one was very unique. The story alternates between Viv and her niece. Carly is determined to solve the disappearance years ago of Viv. Now around the same age as her aunt when she vanished , Carly wants to solve the mystery and so retraces her aunt's steps. Honestly, I don't know how to end this review. I couldn't put this down, was constantly holding my breath and was sad and relieved when it was done. Great read for a dark winters night.
The In-Betweens: The Spiritualists, Mediums, and Legends of Camp Etna
by Mira Ptacin
The In-Betweens (10/13/2019)
Spiritualists, mediums and communicating with the dead. All subjects I have been intrigued by and believe in. While there are many books on these subjects, some are dry and seem more like a textbook than anything else. Or they are filled with photos of " spirits". Mira Ptacin has written a book that flows. Yes it is fascinating, whether you believe or not. Spiritualism has been around a long time, but really took hold in this country in the mid 1800s. It is still going strong today. The first case of note took place in 1848 when two sisters communicated with spirits. Camp Etna was created in the 1870s in Maine. When Ms Ptacin was given free access to the camp, she interviewed participants, read historical papers and books on the subject and participated herself.
I loved the everything about this book. The subject is fascinating. The writing is readable , giving you an understanding of a complex subject. If you are already a believer this will support all those beliefs. If not, well it may make one of you. In my life I have met several spirits. When I have talked about it, I find people with their own stories. Most of us keep it quiet. Thank you Mira for encouraging us not to.
The Night Tiger: A Novel
by Yangsze Choo
The Night Tiger (1/4/2019)
Even though I have finished the book, I find myself picking it up again and again. The writing is beautiful, the story line multi-layered , the main characters are richly developed. Each time I reread a section I find a new discovery. I initially requested Night Tiger because it sounded different from my regular reading. It was! You get romance, magical elements, threatening situations, mystery and paranormal. All blended together expertly. This is one of those few books that I wish was longer. Put this on your list of must reads !. It is an amazing book. The author said Night Tiger took her four years to write. That was time well-spent. Thank you!
Eternal Life
by Dara Horn
eternal life by dara horn (11/26/2017)
Rachel is old. Really old. Like over 2000 years old; and try as she might, she cannot die. She has married over and over again. Borne hundreds of children. She has buried them all. 2000 years earlier she committed an act that gave her eternal life. Now she cannot escape it.
This is an unusual, exceptional book. The writing just flows. It is much more than just a story of a woman who can't die. Bonds between mother and child, husband and wife , faith and grief are all part of this tale. Most of all, it is about love and life. While this is not my typical book, the plot description drew me in. It sounded fascinating and it was. It was also just a lovely read!
The French Girl
by Lexie Elliott
The French Girl (9/13/2017)
Six college friends spend a week in a secluded farmhouse in France. Severine, a mysterious woman joins them. Then she disappears. Fast forward 10 years and a body is found. Is it Severine and if so, what really happened to her?
Kate Channing is the voice of this novel. She is haunted by the ghost of Severine and stuck emotionally in the past. Although Kate and her friends are British, it is the French police conducting the investigation. The detective forces Kate and her friends to revisit a time that all of them want to forget.
Once I began this book, I did not want to ever stop. I was hooked right from the beginning and that never changed. This is one of the top mysteries I have read in a very long time.
Now my negative. The author introduces one the main characters by his BIG nose. Ok once, but this reference is mentioned too many times. Really who cares about his nose. It was annoying. But despite this, I highly recommend this book!
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