Monday, December 14, 2020

Review: Hamnet

Hamnet Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The world’s most famous playwright, his married life, his family,and the death of his son, all quite speculatively laid out in an exquisite, heartbreaking narrative. Wow. I’m speechless.
The audiobook was gorgeous.
The narrator perfection.

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Sunday, August 23, 2020

Review: The Great Alone

The Great Alone The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

A damaged, abusive Vietnam vet takes his wife and daughter to the remote wilderness of Alaska to live a very fraught and hopeless life.
Clearly a minority opinion, but I hated this book.
Some serious eye-roll moments, like what other unlikely events could happen to this family? Also the abuse and violence was just hard to read.
The only reason I finished was because it was our book club discussion pick.

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Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Review: Tweet Cute

Tweet Cute Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Jack & Pepper are classmates at an exclusive upper west side Manhattan private school and begin a Twitter war between their respective family’s restaurants. In a storyline reminiscent of You’ve Got Mail, Jack & Pepper’s relationship develops online and then in real life.

Some parts were cute, I guess, but I thought the narrative was all over the place.

Not a favorite rom-com.

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Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Review: The Ungrateful Refugee

The Ungrateful Refugee The Ungrateful Refugee by Dina Nayeri
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The author's journey and story as a refugee from Iran to the US, as well as others that she encounters and assists. Engaging and harrowing.

Because of the multiple narrative story-lines, I recommend reading the physical book instead of the audiobook. It was very difficult to keep track of what was happening.

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Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Friday, March 6, 2020

Review: Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life

Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life by Anne Bogel
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

DNF
This should be entitled "don't overthink your first world problems."
Seriously -- when you can't make a decision about hotels or international travel you really don't have a problem. Especially one to write a book about. Totally self absorbed.

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Monday, February 17, 2020

Review: Next Year in Havana

Next Year in Havana Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Marisol is returning to Cuba for the first time since her family's escape during the revolution to return her grandmother's ashes to her homeland. Marisol meets old family friends and neighbors and what was initially an excursion to write about Cuban tourism and travel, results in discovering old family secrets and ignites new political controversy.

I really liked this novel! Told is alternating voices -- both Marisol and her grandmother, Elisa - I was engage with both narratives and stories.

I knew/know absolutely nothing of the Cuban revolution or about Cuba (shame on me), other than Castro, Communism and Cuban refugees and families in Florida. While I'm sure this barely skims the surface of what actually occurred (hopefully it was accurate), I certainly know more now about Cuba than I did before.

This was our book club choice for March. Look forward to discussing it.

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Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Review: New Kid

New Kid New Kid by Jerry Craft
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A graphic novel within a graphic novel, Jordan is an aspiring artist, who is now a minority student in an exclusive private school. He sketches his "thoughts" in diary-like entries as he encounters issues of racism, elitism, and social awkwardness at school
A brilliant, very funny, and insightful book.
Illustrations are amazing.
Newbery award worthy.

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Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Review: Before She Was Harriet

Before She Was Harriet Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A quick easy audio during breakfast.
The diverse voices narrating Harriet's the stages of her life were great. As were the sound effects.
But clearly this was picture book. So, yeah, missed seeing the illustrations.


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Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Review: Letter from Birmingham Jail

Letter from Birmingham Jail Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such an important, almost gospel-like, letter.
And while expertly and emotionally narrated, I can only imagine what it would have sounded like in Dr. King's voice.

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Monday, January 13, 2020

Review: Tomorrow I'll Be Brave

Tomorrow I'll Be Brave Tomorrow I'll Be Brave by Jessica Hische
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This may be a picture book, but the message is timeless and ageless.
The illustrations and lettering are stunning.
Tomorrow be:
Adventurous
Strong
Smart
Curious
Creative
Confident
Brave

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Sunday, January 5, 2020

Review: Tidelands

Tidelands Tidelands by Philippa Gregory
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I read over 300 pages of this dreadful book and decided I couldn’t read anymore. I did skip to the last 10 pages to find out what happened. Not sure I missed much in the 100 pages I skipped.

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Review: Stepsister

Stepsister Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Turns out, Cinderella’s stepsister was a badass.
And it’s important to forgive.
Absolutely LOVED this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Review: The Unteachables

The Unteachables The Unteachables by Gordon Korman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It was OK.
Highly improbable from start to finish.
Not intended for an adult reader. Or at least, this adult reader.

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Review: Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book

Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love Jennifer Donnelly novels.
This is a reimagined telling of Beauty and the Beast after Beast introduces Belle to the castle library.
Part Wizard of Oz, part creepy Toy Story, Belle must write her own “story” and determine her destiny.
Great storytelling.
Good middle grade fiction.

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Review: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Julie
Boyfriend
Wendell
Rita
John
Myron
Caroline

I was immersed in everyone of these patients’ stories.

I loved the writing. I loved the growth. I loved the therapy.

So many favorite quotes, but this one I marked, “I thought about how many people avoid trying for things they really want in life because it’s more painful to get close to the goal but not achieve it than not to have taken the chance in the first place.”

I listened to the audible as well as read the physical book - the audio narration is excellent!

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Review: I'll Love You Till the Cows Come Home

I'll Love You Till the Cows Come Home I'll Love You Till the Cows Come Home by Kathryn Cristaldi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Whimsical and poetic.

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Review: In My Heart: A Book of Feelings

In My Heart: A Book of Feelings In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have a soft spot for heart books. This a beautifully constructed picture book.

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Review: Still Life

Still Life Still Life by Louise Penny
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

2.5 stars
This book reminded me why I don't like mysteries -- I spend the entire book trying to figure out "who dunit" that I miss the actual plot and story.
Lovely writing, but nothing special.


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