Starting the new year with a 5 star book is the way to go! Seriously, this book is amazing. Martha Ballard was not a woman from history I knew anythinStarting the new year with a 5 star book is the way to go! Seriously, this book is amazing. Martha Ballard was not a woman from history I knew anything about, and I’m so glad this book changed that. Everyone should know about this badass midwife. The final conflict between the protagonist antagonist alone is worth the read—seriously it left me gasping, shouting holy fuck, and then laughing and cheering! ...more
I read one hundred pages of this and don’t understand the hype at all. The story had no direction that I could see and while the promised theme of equI read one hundred pages of this and don’t understand the hype at all. The story had no direction that I could see and while the promised theme of equality was one I was excited about, I just didn’t understand the story around it. Perhaps it was too early to quit, but if I can’t get into a book after a hundred pages, I usually can’t find it in me to continue. Overall, I’m disappointed. I hate when I don’t like a book that is so loved by most other people. ...more
My mom passed along this book and although it was never on my radar, I ended up liking it. It’s a good thing I didn’t need to read the first in the seMy mom passed along this book and although it was never on my radar, I ended up liking it. It’s a good thing I didn’t need to read the first in the series to understand this one. All the characters were interesting and had great backgrounds, and the setting of the national park was a perfect place for suspense. I especially loved Daisy the rescue dog—no surprise there....more
One of my biggest triggers is the topic of death. Just thinking about what comes after death can send me into a quick panic. The unknown truly terrifiOne of my biggest triggers is the topic of death. Just thinking about what comes after death can send me into a quick panic. The unknown truly terrifies me and has me avoiding thinking about it at all cost. Therefore, I was a bit surprised to find myself picking this novel up considering its focus on death. Thankfully, it didn't set me off, and I actually found it quite comforting. I especially loved the characters of Nelson and Hugo. They made me miss my grandpa and childhood dog in the best way. The theme of death being a new beginning also earned my appreciation since it helped calm some of my fears. The one thing I did not like is Wallace's ending. I think it went against all the rules that were established in the beginning of the book and seemed like an obvious and easy out. That being said, I would still recommend this book to others because it has a heartwarming message about second chances and the great beyond....more
It's been quite a while since I've read a full-fledged romance, but I saw everyone twitterpating over this one, and since I was in the mood for a a liIt's been quite a while since I've read a full-fledged romance, but I saw everyone twitterpating over this one, and since I was in the mood for a a light-hearted Halloweeny read, I randomly bought it on my Kindle app. The masses were correct: it was a pretty adorable read. It definitely gave me Hocus Pocus vibes but for adults. Yes, the romance was really fun and screamed happily-ever-after, but what I actually fell in love with was the town of Graves Glenn. I seriously wish I could live there, or at the very least, live there during the fall season. It seemed so cozy and whimsical. In short, this was just the story to be reading the week leading up to Halloween to give me all the spooky, scary skeleton funsies!...more
The spot-on voice of the mother in the first few pages drew me into this one right away, but that quickly ran it's course after a few chapters, and whThe spot-on voice of the mother in the first few pages drew me into this one right away, but that quickly ran it's course after a few chapters, and what I was left with was one hot mess of a story. I expected this to be Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets book club, but the empowering women theme was utterly destroyed by the blatant sexism and racism in this book. Other than the female protagonist, most of the other women were spineless and cold. To make matters worse, they were all married to awful men! Every single husband in this book was a despicable control-freak. I had a hard time not throwing the book across the room with the way the husbands treated their wives and how the wives just collapsed under them. Also, what the hell is up with the way people of color were treated in this book? I get that this book was set in the early 90s in the South, but this author made sure to pack every stereotype into it's pages including everything from the blacks living in trailers to the menacing, hoodlum b-ballers. Even the vampire only attacks people of color! Also, the son is weirdly obsessed with the Nazi regime which is never explained. Finally, at the end, when the women do get their shit together, the destruction of the vampire is proceeded by an extremely uncomfortable, sexually charged rape-like scene that the main character describes as the best feeling in the world. It was beyond disgusting and annoying! Ugh! I simply can't believe this book is so widely popular....more
I used to devour romance books like an addict. I was completely content to read book after book that solely focused on some sexy relationship and littI used to devour romance books like an addict. I was completely content to read book after book that solely focused on some sexy relationship and little else. As I got older, however, books like that got old for me. Now, what I crave is a good story. A romance that develops within an epic story is ten times better than any bodice-ripping romance book will ever be. That was exactly the case with this novel. During the amazing and terrifying journey across the Oregon Trail, two people find themselves and each other in the everyday struggles of life and what it is to live and survive. Love takes a backseat to life, and to be honest, I find that more in touch with reality than the romanticized version of love that movies, TV, and romance books try to sell. Afterall, life tests love and ultimately shows whether it is true or not, and this book reiterates that fact quite clearly. All the while, the reader gets both a amazing plot and a great love story....more
What a curious, heartwarming book about three lost souls who find each other and ultimately themselves. This book wasn’t on my radar, but when I stumbWhat a curious, heartwarming book about three lost souls who find each other and ultimately themselves. This book wasn’t on my radar, but when I stumbled across it on the “Don’t Miss” shelf at the library, I decided to pick it up, and I’m glad I did. The characters were very well developed and intriguing each in their own right especially the little girl. ...more
I had never heard of the Packhorse Librarians before, and as a reader, this little bit of literary history was so much fun to uncover. Brave, strong wI had never heard of the Packhorse Librarians before, and as a reader, this little bit of literary history was so much fun to uncover. Brave, strong women delivering books and information by horseback to people out in the wild? How badass! Jojo Moyes also developed a wonderful, intriguing story around this time period. I loved reading about the beautiful Kentucky landscape, and the characters especially were all well developed and dynamic. Each character offered a unique viewpoint that had me either cheering for or hating them. In short, I will definitely be recommending this book to my fellow book readers that I know. By the way, can we take a moment to mention how awesome Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine book club picks are? I love so many from her list and always look forward to seeing what she picks next!...more
This one was very slow starting but eventually picked up toward the 100 page mark, and yet, I'm not sure how I feel about it. It was a cool concept, aThis one was very slow starting but eventually picked up toward the 100 page mark, and yet, I'm not sure how I feel about it. It was a cool concept, and the language was beautiful, but I wasn't as invested in it as I wanted to be. I guess I wanted the story to be more about the worlds behind the doors than the doors themselves. I am left with this meh! feeling. It wasn't bad; it wasn't great; it just...was....more
The buzz around this book had me picking it up, and I'm glad I did. It has a little bit of everything in it-nature, abuse, romance, adventure, family,The buzz around this book had me picking it up, and I'm glad I did. It has a little bit of everything in it-nature, abuse, romance, adventure, family, survival, history, and ultimately, the author did a great job of tying it all together in a powerful story. The setting of Alaska was a character in itself, and I was completely drawn in by the romantic yet brutal descriptions of this harsh frontier. It kept me thinking whether I could survive and fall in love with such a place, and I'm still on the fence. Also, the big personalities of the Alaskan homesteaders were a great addition. I wasn't expecting such strong supporting characters, and I could see more companion stories being told about them if Kristin Hannah ever so chose to do so. Overall, this is a longer book, but it flew by quite quickly....more
I haven't visited the land of Olympian Gods and Titans since I was a high schooler in English class. I remember reading all the old stories and legendI haven't visited the land of Olympian Gods and Titans since I was a high schooler in English class. I remember reading all the old stories and legends and trying to keep track of the tangled web of gods and stories. This book brought that all back into focus for me, and I forgot just how vain, power hungry, and heartless the Gods truly were. My gosh! They are narcissistic assholes! Thank goodness, Circe was a breath of fresh air. I love how she carved her own path and didn't surrender her own identity. All the little stories that made her who she was were so intriguing and powerful. Her choice at the end was definitely the right one, and although it took her so long to get there, it was truly satisfying for both her and the reader. Even though this is a book of Gods, Titans, warriors, and witches, it speaks volumes to what it is to be human and mortal. I'm glad I put my skepticism aside and picked this one up. It was an adventurous yet insightful read!...more
This one was a peculiar look into a unusual family’s life of witchcraft. It never had any specific direction; it just ambles along capturing odd and pThis one was a peculiar look into a unusual family’s life of witchcraft. It never had any specific direction; it just ambles along capturing odd and profound moments of life. Yes, it’s magical realism, but it speaks very much to the realities of real life and love. I loved the message that all are cursed in life but you must keep living and loving despite that. This book that I didn’t think I really liked throughout much of it somehow managed to keep me reading and charmed me in the end. How odd!...more
This one started out at a slow amble, but soon enough, it picked up pace and had me fully engaged. The history of how the Aborigines were treated in AThis one started out at a slow amble, but soon enough, it picked up pace and had me fully engaged. The history of how the Aborigines were treated in Australia is not a well known one for most people. I only finally learned about it when I studied abroad there in college. It's beyond brutal, and what's more, is intolerance for the natives is still pretty rampant even today. I was shocked to hear kids my own age spewing racist names and judgement whenever the subject came up when I was there in 2007, and I doubt much has changed since then. Although, to be fair, America isn't much better with its current increase in white supremacy. As so, this book is one to be read by all. It's a coming of age story for a young teenage boy named Tommy that gets caught up in the racial tension of Australia in the late 1800's. He's struggling with the loss of most of his family and soon a brother that seems to be morally corrupted as he's thrown into a posse of Darkie killers. It's intense, but so eye opening. Although Tommy feels defeated and guilty at the end, I felt he was beyond brave and did the best he could considering the situation he was in. As I was reading this, I kept thinking of this book as the Australian version of How to Kill a Mockingbird....more
This was cute for what it was. If you're an animal lover, you can definitely appreciate it and will have no problem cheering on this dog. It didn't blThis was cute for what it was. If you're an animal lover, you can definitely appreciate it and will have no problem cheering on this dog. It didn't blow me out of the water, but like I said, it's hard not to want this dog to find his way back to his loving home....more
I loved the Lies of Locke Lamora, but this sequal, I may love even more. It takes our favorite duo, Locke and Jean, out on the high seas, and I enjoyeI loved the Lies of Locke Lamora, but this sequal, I may love even more. It takes our favorite duo, Locke and Jean, out on the high seas, and I enjoyed every swashbuckling, sword swinging moment of it. There were so many interweaving lies and ambitions attacking from all sides, I was hard pressed to put this 700+ page book down. It simply never lulled at any point. Not just that, but in a very Game of Thrones-esk fashion, a myriad of new characters are introduced and not one of them was ever safe, not even your favorites. In fact, quite a few die, and one is beyond heartbreaking to say the least. After rapidly crushing through the first two books in the series, I've already got the third in hand and am gasping to dive into it and emerge myself once more into this incredible world of the Gentileman Bastards!...more
What a great book that brings extremely relevant topics--mental health and animal treatment--to the forefront. I loved how seamlessly the two seeminglWhat a great book that brings extremely relevant topics--mental health and animal treatment--to the forefront. I loved how seamlessly the two seemingly different topics connected with one another. You simply can't help but root for both Lilly and her elephant in this book. It makes it quite clear that our world needs to put its focus on treating both people and animals better....more
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