Review: 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 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 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 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 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 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 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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Review: Dispatches from Pluto: Lost and Found in the Mississippi Delta

Dispatches from Pluto: Lost and Found in the Mississippi Delta by Richard Grant
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 💥💥💥🔅
Personal memoir of author Richard Grant and his adventure of relocating to the Delta of Mississippi with his girlfriend.
Fascinating and unsettling narrative about the entrenched "plantation culture" and racism that still exists in Mississippi, but also about forging cross-cultural friendships and relationships. And hunting. Lots of hunting.
Having lived in the South for 17 years, some of it was familiar territory, but some of it is still shocking in the 21st century.
This is one of those audiobooks that I wonder if I would have enjoyed it more if I'd actually read it. The British narrator was hard to understand, especially when he was reciting proper names. It would have been so much easier to READ parts of this instead of listen. But still recommended.


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Review: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cute, fun, witty YA romance.
Loved the sister dynamics (I don't have sisters - not sure if it's authentic or not).
Loved the circular love "triangles." (although a bit weird).
Hated the ending. Girl loves boy. Boy humiliates girl. Dad doesn't believe girl. Girl pines away for boy.
Just no. Awful message.
Haven't seen the Netflix series.

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Review: As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Simply delightful!
If you're a fan of The Princess Bride and want first hand narration about casting and filming, this is a must read/listen. The audio book, narrated by the Man in Black himself, Cary Elwes, was pitch perfect. Plus, the added bonus of other actors narration like Robin Wright and Mandy Patinkin.
My only quibble was the seemingly obsession about Robin Wright's beauty. Yes, I get it, she's beautiful, and the part required princess-like beauty, but she's more than her beauty, right?
It was so fun to turn on the audio every morning at breakfast. The boys loved it too.
Great family entertainment.

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