Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: This is an uplifting book--the central protagonist is 82, homeless and alone and he inadvertently changes places withThanks to Netgalley for the ARC: This is an uplifting book--the central protagonist is 82, homeless and alone and he inadvertently changes places with a similar appearing nursing home resident. Johnston explores the invisibility of the old and family dynamics--Fred meets the estranged daughter of Bertrand and establishes a bond and attempts to make reparations for poor parenting. Fred had been very lonely and alone and the nursing home provides him with stability and connections. While it may not be completely realistic, there are very realistic observations about how older people are treated and the lifelong wounds from inadequate parenting, Fred is a deeply decent man and his story is lovely. ...more
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: Jackson Brodie is always a treat--the wit and throwaway humor is pervasive. As much as I adore Kate Atkinson's JacksoThanks to Netgalley for the ARC: Jackson Brodie is always a treat--the wit and throwaway humor is pervasive. As much as I adore Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brody series, this wasn't my favorite. I am not sure if you haven't read the previous novels that you would follow this one--and it was hard to follow--myriad characters with little to no explanation or development. Jackson is hired to find a missing painting and in the process he meets up with people from his past--notably Reggie (who I want to remember more about.) He deals with class hierarchy, and notably the mansion owned by Lady Milton where he son has created a hotel to try and prop up their finances and is staging a murder mystery. There is a classic mystery, art theft, mistaken identity, a blizzard, a vicar who's lost his faith and delicious humor. It took a while to get going and there was some confusion with the many characters. Even a not my favorite Jackson Brodie is still a book to be savored and re-read. Thank you Kate Atkinson for writing another. ...more
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: A well written debut novel about the death of a teenaged girl, Lucy, as experienced by multiple women who were connecThanks to Netgalley for the ARC: A well written debut novel about the death of a teenaged girl, Lucy, as experienced by multiple women who were connected to her. The many narrators did cause some confusion for me, but some of the voices--especially Layla the school counselor--were compelling and the many connections build throughout the book. Ultimately, the question of the truth and the impact are different for all of the narrators. A strong debut. ...more
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: I am a big fan of her first novel. This book impressed me, even if I did not enjoy reading much of it. The novel explThanks to Netgalley for the ARC: I am a big fan of her first novel. This book impressed me, even if I did not enjoy reading much of it. The novel explores the traumatized and generally unlikable Fletcher family. "The Fletchers were a great Jewish American family"-a quote from the rabbi at the funeral of the matriarch. They are a broken group, all damaged after Carl, father of the three main characters, was kidnapped, inexplicably. The family is wealthy, entitled and falling apart. Much of the first half of the book explores Beamer, a failed screenwriter, and while his perpetual downward spiral was well described, it felt like less of Beamer would have been fine. The last half of the book explores his siblings--unified in their anxiety and inability to overcome their past trauma. There is a financial disaster, which the family meets with generalized dysfunction. Brodesser-Akner is a powerful writer, but this somewhat odious family was hard to root for and care about. It is a book that lingers in my memory and her writing is powerful. I think it will be somewhat polarizing--especially in light of current events--but she is a great writer. It's a long book and I felt that the first portion was overly long. Once I got to the latter half, I enjoyed the book. It is a book to be discussed and debated. ...more
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: This is a debut novel and it's a solid debut. The novel takes place 12 years after Alice's suicide at the wedding of Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: This is a debut novel and it's a solid debut. The novel takes place 12 years after Alice's suicide at the wedding of her brother to her former best friend. As the families gather, they revisit the history that led up to Alice's death and they make new history. I found the story dragged a bit and also got somewhat confusing in the first half but the latter part of the book brought the many threads together beautifully. Even with revisiting the past, some aspects remain a mystery and some truths are revealed. The epilogue was very touching. Looking forward to reading more from this author....more
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The protagonist--Augusta/Goldie--is a never wanted to be retired pharmacist who is tuThanks to Netgalley for the ARC: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The protagonist--Augusta/Goldie--is a never wanted to be retired pharmacist who is turning 80 and relocated from NYC to Florida where she encounters a man who was very important in her youth. There are lingering misunderstandings from their previous life. The book is written as the dual timelines of Augusta's childhood--being raised by her great aunt-an alternative healer--and her pharmacist father in 1920's NYC and the timeline of her retirement in Florida where she meets two men who were critical in her earlier life. This is both historical fiction and some gentle magical realism. The book is well written and the story is sweet, life affirming and not at all "sappy". The author worked as an attorney and her previous books also explore Jewish life in NYC from a historical perspective....more
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC (unexpected gift!): I adored this book. I found it both timeless and timely: Strout deftly portrays the post-pandemic/Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC (unexpected gift!): I adored this book. I found it both timeless and timely: Strout deftly portrays the post-pandemic/endemic/increasingly fraught and polarized world with her deceptively light, poetic writing. Lucy Barton meets with Olive Kittredge to share stories--at 91 and 66. Lucy and Bob develop a deep friendship that illuminates and stresses their relationships. The main characters are navigating late middle age to old age, and it rang true. Most of Strout's characters are in this book, in a natural organic circle. Yes, it helps to have read her previous books, but I don't think it's necessary. I treasured this book. I consider it one of her best. ...more
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: This was a fascinating account of the ballerinas who were the principal dancers for the Dance Theatre of Harlem and wThanks to Netgalley for the ARC: This was a fascinating account of the ballerinas who were the principal dancers for the Dance Theatre of Harlem and whose account and history was lost. There was so much racism in the classical ballet world and black ballerinas where told they were more welcome in modern dance. Arthur Miller founded the company and gave these ballerinas and education and the opportunities to be principals in the company, but over time, their stories were lost to history. This book remedies that oversight. Even now, they are not mentioned in the long history on the Theatre's website, although there are photos. They were nameless, but not anymore. Recommended. ...more
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: A pleasant diversion of a cosy mystery. Well written for its genre. The musical knowledge seems solid, the depth of tThanks to Netgalley for the ARC: A pleasant diversion of a cosy mystery. Well written for its genre. The musical knowledge seems solid, the depth of the characters and the nature of the mystery less so. A pleasant read, but immediately forgettable. My rating reflects it within its genre. 3.5 stars rounded up....more
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: This kind of book is just not something I enjoy. It’s about abducted and tortured young women. Wrong book for me. I rThanks to Netgalley for the ARC: This kind of book is just not something I enjoy. It’s about abducted and tortured young women. Wrong book for me. I really enjoyed her previous book. She writes well, just not my genre....more
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: This is a clearly written, evidence-based self help book, authored by an internal medicine physician who practiced foThanks to Netgalley for the ARC: This is a clearly written, evidence-based self help book, authored by an internal medicine physician who practiced for 8 years in an integrative health clinic. She is trained in mindfulness. The recommendations are clear and I especially appreciated her concept of not attempting more than 2 changes at one time, to set achievable goals, to identify values/meaning. I always wish that the final chapter would include a graphic to review the advice and actions proscribed in the book. She draws from her mindfulness training, and the understanding of readiness to change.
As a clinician, I didn't find her clinical vignettes resonated deeply and on researching the author, she no longer appears to practice clinical medicine but has transitioned to a motivational speaker/media/journalist role. I think the book has utility in its clarity, reasonable advice and evidence base. I found myself wishing she was a bit more transparent about her clinical role at this point in her career. ...more
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: I read this advanced copy several months ago. I found it engaging and the characters were well developed. The twists Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: I read this advanced copy several months ago. I found it engaging and the characters were well developed. The twists felt a bit contrived, but the descriptions of the class struggles felt very realistic. A well written mystery. ...more
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC: Bloom has written an exceptional memoir about her path to parenthood and her unique experience of parenting a daughtThanks to Netgalley for this ARC: Bloom has written an exceptional memoir about her path to parenthood and her unique experience of parenting a daughter who has medical challenges: deafness and type 1 diabetes. The title is brilliant and she explains its origins. She writes about her many pregnancies and the difficult decisions she and her husband faced with insight and compassion. Bloom is a writer, an academic and she deeply explores the history of her experiences--genetic testing, disability, technology--many technologies ,academia, literature and more. She writes almost dispassionately, but beautifully about very emotionally charged topics. In her afterward she apologizes for possibly disparaging medical professionals--but the only disparaging I felt was to a certain Ivy League University and academia in general. I didn't want this book to end--her love for her daughter is so strong that I found myself wanting to know more--how is she doing? What did they decide about technology to address her medical concerns? How is her career and her marriage? This book functions on so many profound layers that it could definitely be used in a class about parenthood, disability, marriage and more. I hope it gets the wide readership it deserves. ...more
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: 4.5 rounded up--I haven't read any Anna Quindlen in a while and I'd forgotten her skill. After Annie is an exploratioThanks to Netgalley for the ARC: 4.5 rounded up--I haven't read any Anna Quindlen in a while and I'd forgotten her skill. After Annie is an exploration of how a family copes with the sudden death of their young mother/wife/glue of the family. It's primarily told from the point of view of the oldest daughter, Ali, but the father and Annie's best friend feature as well. The book is written in the seasons that occur after her death. Quindlen deftly moves the story from their disorienting grief to their attempts at coping. Much of the burden falls on Ali, who struggles to understand her father, a troubled friend, her younger brothers and her mother's dearest friend who is struggling with sobriety. The grandmother's are each problematic and don't support the family. It's an ultimately hopeful book. The season's of grief are thoroughly explored in a compelling story....more
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: Very well done historical fiction. The setting is Dayton, TN during the Scopes Trial--where teaching of evolution wasThanks to Netgalley for the ARC: Very well done historical fiction. The setting is Dayton, TN during the Scopes Trial--where teaching of evolution was prohibited. The protagonist is Annabel Craig who is a slightly naive southern woman who evolves through the process of the trial. Her husband is on the defense and that puts her at odds with her neighbors and friends. It was a compelling story and felt fully realized with excellent character development. Very well done and recommended. I was informed through a well done novel....more
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: This is a bioptic novel about Maria Callas that focuses primarily on her mid-career and her relationship with AristotThanks to Netgalley for the ARC: This is a bioptic novel about Maria Callas that focuses primarily on her mid-career and her relationship with Aristotle Onassis. It starts as she has just learned about his marriage to Jackie Kennedy and then chronicles her first marriage, childhood and lingers on her time with Onassis. Born in the US, her mother took her back to Greece just prior to WWII when she was in her early teens. Callas yearned for her mother's approval, but never received it. The book chronicles her work ethic, her creation of the Diva persona, her voice and her myriad experiences in society and the opera world. It was a fun read and it sparked my interest in her. Far from just being Onassis' lover, she was a world class talent, driven, and never--unfortunately--ultimately happy in her personal life. Callas has been the subject of many biographies: this book as a novel, did an excellent job of making her accessible and interesting. ...more
Loading...
