No One You Know by Michelle Richmond
I don't really know how to give this book a synopsis, but I'll give it my best shot...
Twenty years ago, Ellie Enderlin's brilliant mathematician sister Lila was found murdered in the woods, and a man Ellie trusted wrote an expose book about the murder, pointing the finger at a colleague of Lila's. Ellie, feeling betrayed, closed that chapter of her life, and has led an aimless existence since then (working as a coffee taster) until one day, she meets the man accused of the crime.
This is a slow burn novel - lots of character development and evocative prose. This is tremendously well written, and didn't end the way I expected. I was left guessing whodunit, as well as how Ellie would deal with it.
This is a fantastic fiction work, much more "literary" than contemporary. Highly recommended!
I don't really know how to give this book a synopsis, but I'll give it my best shot...
Twenty years ago, Ellie Enderlin's brilliant mathematician sister Lila was found murdered in the woods, and a man Ellie trusted wrote an expose book about the murder, pointing the finger at a colleague of Lila's. Ellie, feeling betrayed, closed that chapter of her life, and has led an aimless existence since then (working as a coffee taster) until one day, she meets the man accused of the crime.
This is a slow burn novel - lots of character development and evocative prose. This is tremendously well written, and didn't end the way I expected. I was left guessing whodunit, as well as how Ellie would deal with it.
This is a fantastic fiction work, much more "literary" than contemporary. Highly recommended!
Labels: book review
Sweet Love by Sarah Strohmeyer
I've enjoyed Strohmeyer's other "stand alone" titles, so when I saw the pretty pink cupcake on the cover, I snatched this one up!
This title takes a more serious tone than her previous titles (at least in my opinion), dealing with aging parents, mortality, and a lost love that reappears after twenty years in the life of Julie Mueller - in the form of former bad boy Michael Slayton.
This book is also filled with delicious sounding treats, reclaimed romance and a happy ending, despite the more serious tone.
I was in the wrong place to truly enjoy it (much of it focused on mothers and daughters, which is still so, so hard for me), but I think others will eat it up!
I've enjoyed Strohmeyer's other "stand alone" titles, so when I saw the pretty pink cupcake on the cover, I snatched this one up!
This title takes a more serious tone than her previous titles (at least in my opinion), dealing with aging parents, mortality, and a lost love that reappears after twenty years in the life of Julie Mueller - in the form of former bad boy Michael Slayton.
This book is also filled with delicious sounding treats, reclaimed romance and a happy ending, despite the more serious tone.
I was in the wrong place to truly enjoy it (much of it focused on mothers and daughters, which is still so, so hard for me), but I think others will eat it up!
Labels: book review
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Ann Burrows
Oh.
Oh, I LOVED this book.
I don't even know where to begin.
Okay, here goes: this is an epistolary novel, written primarily in letters to and from Juliet Ashton in 1946. Juliet is an authoress who is contacted by Dawsey, who is interested in her writings, and those of Charles Lamb.
What follows is a written correspondence between Juliet and Dawsey, as well as his fellow members of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a secret reading group that formed on Guernsey during the dark days of World War II, when the island (one of the Channel Islands) was occupied by the Germans.
This is full of truly charming characters, a lovely plot, some laugh out loud prose, and just a promise that even in the world's worst days, there are still people full of life and opinions and caring for one another.
I became a part of this small society, and truly mourned when the book was over. I already miss Juliet and her voice and opinions, as well as Dawsey, Amelia, Kit and all the rest.
This is a beautifully written, easy to read, wonderfully inspiring story, and I'm just sorry it wasn't longer. It only took a day to read, but I'm already eager to r-read it.
I'm going to have to buy this one. For me, this is truly high praise indeed...
HIGHLY, highly recommended! I loved it!
Oh.
Oh, I LOVED this book.
I don't even know where to begin.
Okay, here goes: this is an epistolary novel, written primarily in letters to and from Juliet Ashton in 1946. Juliet is an authoress who is contacted by Dawsey, who is interested in her writings, and those of Charles Lamb.
What follows is a written correspondence between Juliet and Dawsey, as well as his fellow members of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a secret reading group that formed on Guernsey during the dark days of World War II, when the island (one of the Channel Islands) was occupied by the Germans.
This is full of truly charming characters, a lovely plot, some laugh out loud prose, and just a promise that even in the world's worst days, there are still people full of life and opinions and caring for one another.
I became a part of this small society, and truly mourned when the book was over. I already miss Juliet and her voice and opinions, as well as Dawsey, Amelia, Kit and all the rest.
This is a beautifully written, easy to read, wonderfully inspiring story, and I'm just sorry it wasn't longer. It only took a day to read, but I'm already eager to r-read it.
I'm going to have to buy this one. For me, this is truly high praise indeed...
HIGHLY, highly recommended! I loved it!
Labels: book review
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
I have been eagerly awaiting this title by Secret Sister Johnson, and finally got a hold of the library copy, which I devoured in only a day.
Scarlett's family owns an aging hotel in New York City, and on her fifteenth birthday, Scarlett receives a suite of her own to care for - and a new customer to inhabit it.
What follows is a smart, thoughtful read about Scarlett's summer of her first crush, growing up, dealing with her family and their drama (including her older Brother Spencer, my hands down favorite character), a production of Hamlet, deceptions both big and small, and a truly great red lipstick.
This YA novel is full of great supporting characters, but Scarlett is a great guide through this sticky New York summer, and I loved the way the ending tumbled and bumbled to the end - a happy end, I think.
Highly, highly recommended!
I have been eagerly awaiting this title by Secret Sister Johnson, and finally got a hold of the library copy, which I devoured in only a day.
Scarlett's family owns an aging hotel in New York City, and on her fifteenth birthday, Scarlett receives a suite of her own to care for - and a new customer to inhabit it.
What follows is a smart, thoughtful read about Scarlett's summer of her first crush, growing up, dealing with her family and their drama (including her older Brother Spencer, my hands down favorite character), a production of Hamlet, deceptions both big and small, and a truly great red lipstick.
This YA novel is full of great supporting characters, but Scarlett is a great guide through this sticky New York summer, and I loved the way the ending tumbled and bumbled to the end - a happy end, I think.
Highly, highly recommended!
Labels: book review
Dumbocracy: Adventures with the Loony Left, the Rabid Right, and Other American Idiots by Marty Beckerman
Marty Beckerman is a little bit scary to read.
And while I told him it took me a while to read because I kept throwing it across the room, that's actually a good thing, and yes, I DID finish it, just a bit behind schedule ;-)
Much like the tenet that librarians live by: if I haven't offended you with something in this library, I haven't done my job...Marty lives by the same principle, only his targets range from abortion to women's rights to gay rights to politics to freedom of speech...you know, topics that NEVER inflame anyone's opinions or passions. ;-)
And he does a hilarious job at taking a "dispassionate" look at all these topics, and the loonies that cling to them with their eyeteeth.
Marty's book isn't for the faint of heart - lots of "colourful" language that would make a sailor blush, naughty asides that border on crude and scathing opinions are throughout, but you know, it's damn funny. As long as you aren't throwing it across the room too often. ;-)
I found myself laughing out loud more than once, which is always the sign of a good read. Fed up with the conventions and all the political jargon from this year? Grab this instead - it's a great foil.
Recommended!
Marty Beckerman is a little bit scary to read.
And while I told him it took me a while to read because I kept throwing it across the room, that's actually a good thing, and yes, I DID finish it, just a bit behind schedule ;-)
Much like the tenet that librarians live by: if I haven't offended you with something in this library, I haven't done my job...Marty lives by the same principle, only his targets range from abortion to women's rights to gay rights to politics to freedom of speech...you know, topics that NEVER inflame anyone's opinions or passions. ;-)
And he does a hilarious job at taking a "dispassionate" look at all these topics, and the loonies that cling to them with their eyeteeth.
Marty's book isn't for the faint of heart - lots of "colourful" language that would make a sailor blush, naughty asides that border on crude and scathing opinions are throughout, but you know, it's damn funny. As long as you aren't throwing it across the room too often. ;-)
I found myself laughing out loud more than once, which is always the sign of a good read. Fed up with the conventions and all the political jargon from this year? Grab this instead - it's a great foil.
Recommended!
Labels: book review
