One of the benefits of keeping a reading journal is having access to the thoughts I had after my first reading experience. My notes say "Screenplay feOne of the benefits of keeping a reading journal is having access to the thoughts I had after my first reading experience. My notes say "Screenplay feel. Just ok. Fast read." Beyond that I didn't remember much about the story. I loved the Oxford setting, the friends, the pubs. I also found myself laughing out loud a fair bit. If I had any gripes it would be that the romance be a bit more developed and the ending less rushed. However, the audiobook, narrated by the author, felt like a brand new experience. I found myself appreciating it on a new level. I enjoyed it more the 2nd time around.
This cover just begs for your attention right? I heard about this book on an episode of What Should I Read Next I thought it was clever and fresh, sprThis cover just begs for your attention right? I heard about this book on an episode of What Should I Read Next I thought it was clever and fresh, sprinkled with humor and seriousness. I mean- her sister IS a serial killer. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The chapters are very short, so you find yourself sort of clipping along. I think I had more issues with Korede (narrator) than Ayoola (serial killer). Not sure what that says about me, so I’m not going to analyze that too much....more
The cover is so colorful it begs to be picked up. This is one of those books that balances happy and uplifting with just the right amount of sadness. The cover is so colorful it begs to be picked up. This is one of those books that balances happy and uplifting with just the right amount of sadness. Plus- it’s set in the French countryside and that is always a good thing. A quick, enjoyable read! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀...more
I read this on a long travel day last week. For the first part of the book everything was clicking along. I was enjoying getting to know the characterI read this on a long travel day last week. For the first part of the book everything was clicking along. I was enjoying getting to know the characters and the story was engaging. Then BOOM! What the? It took a sharp turn.
It wasn’t a turn that made me stop reading, it just kind of made me shake my head a bit.
Moriarty writes characters that you want to talk to, root for and even sometimes punch. :) That alone makes for a worthwhile read....more
I enjoy historical fiction and always look forward to Susan Meissner’s books. They often focus on a lesser known chapter in history or a topic I know I enjoy historical fiction and always look forward to Susan Meissner’s books. They often focus on a lesser known chapter in history or a topic I know little to nothing about. So I was thrilled to win an early copy from @berkleypub ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Her upcoming release follows the story of two teenage American girls living in internment camps during WWII. But don’t be quick to say, “Oh- another WWII book.” This book offers a fresh perspective. The story weaves themes of identity, family loyalty, loss, coming of age and friendship. All of which are impacted by the war. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you like historical fiction- add this to your TBR (Releases 3.19.19) Not only will you walk away with a memorable reading experience, you will have learned something new along the way. I love when that happens. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀...more
This short story collection was delightful. Not every story was a winner, but I appreciated the format. Short stories fit my current season of life. ⠀This short story collection was delightful. Not every story was a winner, but I appreciated the format. Short stories fit my current season of life. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I started this on audio and picked up a hard copy from the library to read along. Sometimes I find my experience to differ between audio and print. I listened to a passage and then went back later read it. ...more
“She can't see the deep end but knows that if she keeps kicking she will eventually reach it.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This book was charming and simply delightful. I“She can't see the deep end but knows that if she keeps kicking she will eventually reach it.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This book was charming and simply delightful. It just made me feel warm and happy inside. It reminds you that amazing things happen when you surround yourself with good people. UpLit for the win!...more
17 brushes with death. It’s right in the title. So I approached this book with heart clenching trepidation. ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Some of the short stories were so17 brushes with death. It’s right in the title. So I approached this book with heart clenching trepidation. ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Some of the short stories were so intense that they caused me to pause. Others were much easier to process. All of them were graced with O’Farrell’s gorgeous writing. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Perhaps it was because I’d just celebrated my 43rd birthday, but this passage hit me. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ “Occasionally, but not that often, I think about the person I was in my mid-twenties. I consider her. I try to recall how it felt to be that age. What were the frameworks of her days, the patterns of her thoughts? I am as far from her now as she was from her childhood. She is the median line between me and by birth."...more
This wasn’t on my TBR. But a friend was reading it and told me that bits made her laugh out loud. Plus- it was available on audio from the library, soThis wasn’t on my TBR. But a friend was reading it and told me that bits made her laugh out loud. Plus- it was available on audio from the library, so I took it as a sign. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Australia. Triplet sisters. Laughter and drama. Family dynamics. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Moriarty is hit or miss for me. While this didn’t make me oooh&ahhh, I did find myself wanting to listen more to see where the characters would take me next. And I did chortle a time or two. ⠀...more
This is one of those books that makes you work for it. Intricate timelines, complicated characters, immersive stories. I appreciated the writing and tThis is one of those books that makes you work for it. Intricate timelines, complicated characters, immersive stories. I appreciated the writing and the story, but ultimately it wasn't for me. That aside, a great discussion for the Modern Mrs. Darcy book club made up for my less-than-glowing feelings. ...more
"You can't change where you come from, but you can change where you go from here. Just like a book. If you don't like the ending, you make up a new on"You can't change where you come from, but you can change where you go from here. Just like a book. If you don't like the ending, you make up a new one."
This book has everything I've come to expect in a Sarah Addison Allen book: Southern charm, magical realism, eccentric characters, a bit of romance and a lovely story. That being said, it wasn't my favorite. It needed a little more development of both the story and characters to take it from FINE to FABULOUS.
While it won't stick with me, it was a cozy escape....more
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