This is only my second book by Jodi Picoult and I absolutely loved By Any Other Name.
Truthfully, the book description and length of this book initiallThis is only my second book by Jodi Picoult and I absolutely loved By Any Other Name.
Truthfully, the book description and length of this book initially intimidated me. While it is a longer read I felt it was absolutely worth it.
This story is told in two timelines and points of view. The historical timeline features Emilia Bassano who in real life is the first female published poet. In this book Picoult explores the idea that Emilia is the playwright behind several of Shakespeare’s famous plays. The modern day timeline features Melina, an up and coming playwright who faces difficulty entering this predominantly male field.
I was absolutely captivated by Emilia’s story. I love reading speculative historical fiction with strong female characters so this book was right up my alley. Emilia is an intelligent and resilient woman who tries to make the best of her circumstances. Despite being educated and talented, the fact that women during her time were viewed as property and did not have rights made her life at times brutal and harrowing. The way Picoult wrote the complexity of Emilia’s life and the risks she took had me thinking about her story outside of reading sessions.
Where the book fell off for me a bit was in Melina’s timeline. For as fully fleshed out as Emilia’s storyline is, for whatever reason the characters in Melina’s felt one dimensional. Melina’s challenges are very real but her predicament got repetitive and I wasn’t as pulled into her story as I wanted to be.
This book and the chapters are very long but there are plenty of breaks along the way. I really think this book and story are important and compelling. I gave this book 4.5 stars and rounded up because I know this is a story that will stay with me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy of this book!...more
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is a feel good read for readers of all ages and genres.
This book is told from two points of view. In one, Augusta is The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is a feel good read for readers of all ages and genres.
This book is told from two points of view. In one, Augusta is a young adult discovering who she is. Her father owns a pharmacy and Augusta has always been interested in following in his footsteps. Her aunt Esther also provides remedies to people who need them, but in a more homeopathic way. She is determining her future in a town with several lovable characters and one in particular catches her interest. As she falls deeper toward her future there are events along the way that will determine her path seemingly forever.
Sixty years later Augusta retires to Florida where she runs into familiar faces from her past. Her grudges and misunderstandings give her a rough start into the community but she quickly forges friendships that help thaw her heart.
I absolutely loved this book! The main characters and the supporting casts in both timelines are flawed but extremely lovable. While the story is a bit predictable it wasn't off putting because this is such a comfort read. This is the kind of book that will make you smile and melt your heart. ...more
All's Fair in Love and Treachery is the second book in Celeste Connally's Lady Petra series. I enjoyed the first and looked forward to the early approAll's Fair in Love and Treachery is the second book in Celeste Connally's Lady Petra series. I enjoyed the first and looked forward to the early approval of the second.
In this second book Lady Petra is attempting to uncover the secrets behind the death and their relation to her current lover as well as being assigned to uncover the mysterious death of an orphanage's matron. The duality of these two plot lines makes the story a bit complex and at times confusing. I got especially confused by characters that were referred to as not only first and last names (separately) but at times their titles.
Ultimately the way everything came together in the end was very clever and well thought out, but as a reader it would have been even more impressive if I had not gotten lost along the way....more
I don't often read thrillers but when I do they are Catherine Steadman's. While the premise of her books are sometimes a bit outrageous, I cannot put I don't often read thrillers but when I do they are Catherine Steadman's. While the premise of her books are sometimes a bit outrageous, I cannot put them down. She knows how to build tension and suspense in just the right way and Look In the Mirror is no exception.
The book starts with two points of view. In one, Maria has been hired to nanny at a secluded mansion with a forbidden basement door. But when the family never shows up she finds the door more and more tempting. In the other, Nina's father has recently passed and she inherits a property on an island in the middle of nowhere. As you may have guessed, Maria and Nina's house are one in the same at different points in time. Nina knows about the mysterious door and the rooms hidden within the property. Entering the forbidden room comes at a high price for both.
For the majority of the book the reader is left wondering what the heck is going on with this house, and why? I couldn't put the book down because I had to know the answer! As the book continues we are introduced to a few more points of view from side characters. At times they were necessary but for the most part this could have been done without. I personally also kept wondering if the basement was a "Chamber of Secret's" of sorts, but don't want to give too much away,
In the end I wanted a little bit more from the "reveal" of the book and still had a few questions left unanswered. That being said I ultimately enjoyed binging this book over the course of a weekend and was absolutely along for the ride! If you're looking for unique, twisty, suspenseful, and a bit violent this could just be the thriller for you....more
3.5 stars rounded down. Guests of a wedding play the game assassin for the the majority of the book in the days leading up to the wedding. The game in3.5 stars rounded down. Guests of a wedding play the game assassin for the the majority of the book in the days leading up to the wedding. The game in which they pick off each other with water guns is in memory of the MCs sister who died. Also, the MC is falling in love with another guest of the wedding.
The plot was very weak but the characters are lovable....more
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