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
It’s always fun to read a scary book around Halloween, so I was so excited when this book arrived in time at my library after adding it to my wait lisIt’s always fun to read a scary book around Halloween, so I was so excited when this book arrived in time at my library after adding it to my wait list. And the excitement was well worth it. Simply put, this is the best horror novel I’ve ever read! It has all the scare you could possibly fit into a haunted house story—bleeding walls, ghost children, a strong protagonist, an exorcist priest, a serial killer, and of course, a creepy house with a long, sordid history! And yet it still manages to be more than just an epic haunting tale. It also craftily shines a spotlight on the true horrors of life by the clever comparisons between surviving a haunted house and the struggle to survive an abusive marriage. Hugely impressive and wildly entertaining!...more
I'm not one to often pick up a dragon book, but I couldn't turn a blind eye to this one with all the buzz it was getting, and I'm certainly glad I didI'm not one to often pick up a dragon book, but I couldn't turn a blind eye to this one with all the buzz it was getting, and I'm certainly glad I didn't. This was so much fun! The action, the magic, the sizzling romance, the competitive war games--I flew through it all in a matter of days while on vacation. It reminded me how much I like a good fantasy story....more
Wow! What a unique and well done romantasy! I should have picked this up sooner. It was full of dynamic characters, an interesting magic system, a sloWow! What a unique and well done romantasy! I should have picked this up sooner. It was full of dynamic characters, an interesting magic system, a slow burn romance, and crazy ending. I can’t wait to see how it all concludes, and since I didn’t get to this sooner, I don’t have to wait to read the sequel. Score!...more
This book is ahhhh-mazing! It was such a high concept, but it’s the characters that made it so phenomenal. Seriously, if you’re looking for a life affThis book is ahhhh-mazing! It was such a high concept, but it’s the characters that made it so phenomenal. Seriously, if you’re looking for a life affirming book, this is it! Just be ready to spill some tears....more
I don’t read a lot of sports stories, but I wasn’t going to miss Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest novel. Even though I know close to nothing about tennis,I don’t read a lot of sports stories, but I wasn’t going to miss Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest novel. Even though I know close to nothing about tennis, I really ended up liking this one. The dynamics between Carrie and her father as well as her journey to accepting the athlete she was and now is kept me rooting for her despite her rough, arrogant attitude....more
I mostly read historical fiction about war time so this was an interesting departure into mining history I had never heard of before. Even better was I mostly read historical fiction about war time so this was an interesting departure into mining history I had never heard of before. Even better was the fact that a woman led this strike!...more
This book will definitely make you pause if you're thinking about becoming a mother. We all know that being a parent isn't an easy job and that there'This book will definitely make you pause if you're thinking about becoming a mother. We all know that being a parent isn't an easy job and that there's always that fear about messing your child up, but what if the child is born wrong...or I shudder to say it, evil? What's even more trippy about this book is how unreliable the narrator is based on her own maternal history. You are kept guessing throughout the book if her accusations about her daughter are accurate or not. It's not until the last line that you finally get the answer to that question and, boy, is it a satisfying, yet terrifying answer. In short, I completely understand why this book is flying off the shelves. It's a quick read that definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat....more
Obviously, Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors. Her way of handling social and political issues is always astounding, and this time around was Obviously, Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors. Her way of handling social and political issues is always astounding, and this time around was no different. The topic she tackled for this story was the coronavirus. Risky move considering how dividing this topic still is at the moment, and yet, it doesn't even seem like you're reading a book about Covid in the slightest. Picoult manages to take an incredibly polarizing subject and instead magically weaves a beautiful story of adapting and finding yourself and how you fit in the world. She avoids all the political rhetoric and simply creates a story anyone can fall into regardless of their views on the virus. And can we just take a moment to recognize that twist she threw into the middle of the book--just wow! I had no idea that was coming, and I loved how it opened up so many intriguing questions and ponderings about the fabric of life. Even more shocking is that Picoult wrote this novel in only a year. All the research, insight, and stories that went into this doesn't seem possible in just one year--a year in lockdown at that--and yet, she did it. As always, hats off to you, Picoult. I truly believe you are one of the best contemporary authors of our time!...more
This book had me absolutely in awe of the human spirit and at the same time absolutely embarrassed. Let me explain. Obviously, the strength and faith This book had me absolutely in awe of the human spirit and at the same time absolutely embarrassed. Let me explain. Obviously, the strength and faith of this family and the hell they went through had me astounded and believing in people like only a good story can. However, a hundred years later and I look around to find so little of that strength, faith, and compassion in people around me today. This family of the past was able to give up literally everything--their house, family, safety, food, and more--to survive and hope for a better life under unimaginable circumstances, and yet, here in present day America, we can't even get the majority of people to wear a mask or get a shot to help themselves and their fellow man out. It makes me wonder how we got here? How did we become so incredibly selfish and privileged? The sad truth is that this little Russian family and their harrowing story of the past represents the true spirit of America more than most Americans living today. I encourage any reader yearning for a reminder of what true strength, freedom, and faith looks like to pick up this book. You won't be disappointed....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
Who would have thought a book about sanctimonious Puritans could be so deliciously riveting? Not I! I simply couldn't help but hate the abundance of cWho would have thought a book about sanctimonious Puritans could be so deliciously riveting? Not I! I simply couldn't help but hate the abundance of controlling men in this book that tried to put Mary in her place. Their hypocrisy and smugness was enough to have me seething at certain points. Although I'd like to think we as women have come a long way since then, what's going on with the Heartbeat Bill in Texas definitely puts that all into question. Cruel and power-hungry men have always and will continue to try to control women and their bodies, but reading about Mary and her tenacity to fight back while trying not lose herself and her beliefs made me believe in the strength of women. But don't let my feminism-take scare you away if that's not what you want to pick up and read; you'll still want to pick this book up because it's one well-written twisted thriller with some intriguing, complex characters!...more
I really enjoyed The Martian, but this book, it's even better! There are just so many awesome twists and turns in this one. Andy Weir truly has a taleI really enjoyed The Martian, but this book, it's even better! There are just so many awesome twists and turns in this one. Andy Weir truly has a talent for keeping his plots original and engaging. Even more skillful is his ability to interweave so much accurate science into a book without bogging the story down. And can we just give it up for the following 3 plot lines: the astrophe, Rocky, and the ending!!! My goodness, they were absurdly good! Simply put, if you haven't picked this one up yet, you are truly missing out!...more
While I will admit the story unfolds a bit slowly during the first few hundred pages, ultimately, that ending turned it into a book worthy of being adWhile I will admit the story unfolds a bit slowly during the first few hundred pages, ultimately, that ending turned it into a book worthy of being added to my favorites shelf. The protagonist Addie was so clever, fierce, and real, and I loved how both relationships with each man played out. It ended perfectly! What an intriguing premise, story, and character! Truly a beautifully written story!...more
This one was a fricking homerun! The premise immediately drew me in, but I wasn't sure the author would deliver(as often happens), but boy, did he eveThis one was a fricking homerun! The premise immediately drew me in, but I wasn't sure the author would deliver(as often happens), but boy, did he ever! The fact that this book isn't getting the spotlight it needs here in the States is so sad because I wish I stumbled across it sooner. I hate when good books go unnoticed just because they're not from an American author or one of the hot picks pushed by sellers/markets. It's so unfair! I will definitely be picking up other books by John Marrs now that I know of him, and I urge others to do the same! His next book, The Passengers, is already in my hands, and it sounds like another amazing premise. Let it be as awesome as this one!...more
This was my first horror novel by Riley Sager, and it's safe to say it won't be my last. Seriously, it was done so damn well! Usually I don't like twoThis was my first horror novel by Riley Sager, and it's safe to say it won't be my last. Seriously, it was done so damn well! Usually I don't like two different plot lines and end up favoring one over the other, but Home Before Dark had me eagerly flipping back and forth between the two interweaving story lines desperate to piece together what was the true story behind this beyond scary house. They were both expertly creepy and engaging without being too outlandish or bizarre. My only question is the title--it has nothing to do with the story. Oh well, I guess I can overlook this small annoyance. In short, this is exactly what a haunted house tale should be, and if you have even the slightest yearning for a bit of a scare, you should definitely pick this book up. You won't be disappointed!...more
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