75 Books...More or Less! discussion
Archive (2013 Completed)
>
Jan's 2013 list
Another re-read for book club:3. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
I gave this 4 stars when I first read it in August and my rating stands. Beautifully written. Highly recommended
4. Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple4 enthusiastic stars!
Watch the funny you tube video where the author pitches her book:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpbMMu...
A book that's witty, clever and LOL funny. The movie rights have been sold but don't miss the book and/or audiobook.
I've been on vacation reading up a storm at the beach, and then away for a weekend to visit my kids so I'm behind on updating my list:5. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
4+ stars
Highly recommended for both introverts and extroverts! There is a wealth of information, including the history and science of introversion and extroversion, written in such a way so it's not at all dry or boring. It's a highly readable book that can help all of us appreciate and understand each other’s differences while shattering the stereotypes of both. I learned a lot about both types.
6. *Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan
read in January but will write my thoughts after my book club meeting
7. The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe
5++ stars!!
This book will be in my top reads of 2013. While the author’s mother underwent chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer, he and his mother traded books and discussed them, forming a type of “book club”. Mary Anne Schwalbe was quite a woman, the epitomy of an ordinary woman doing extraordinary things. She was accomplished, intelligent, kind, generous and wise. A particular moving story was when Will tells about the time his mother was standing in line at the pharmacy and a woman in front of her was crying because she couldn’t pay for her mother’s medicine. Mary Ann quietly pays the bill. Reading about her made me want to be a better person.
Ultimately, this isn’t a book about cancer and death as much as it is a book about books, the love of books, and how reading can transform us. “Reading isn’t the opposite of doing; it’s the opposite of dying”. She read everything from popular fiction to deeper works, but always found something to learn from them. I ended up adding many to my to-be-read list.
I was highlighting so much that I finally had to stop for fear I would highlight the entire book. I would love to read more about Mary Ann's work with refugees and her travels to war-torn countries.
8. Still Life by Louise Penny
4 stars
This was the author’s debut novel, the first in a series set in Quebec, featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache.
The mystery takes a back seat to setting the stage with the characters and the village. Gamache is a likable man, a kind and introspective deep thinker. There is wit and wisdom throughout the book, with much insight into human nature. It’s slow-paced and the mystery and resolution weren’t quite as gripping as I would have preferred, but because it is so well-written and the characters so compelling, I’ve bumped my rating up to 4 stars and will continue with the series. I appreciated the double meaning of the title.
All in all, it was a pleasant way to spend a long plane ride.
9. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
2.5 stars
It’s all me. The rating doesn’t reflect the skill of the author or the merits of the book. I think it was well-written but my mind went into self-preservation mode and I promptly forgot the plot within a few days of finishing the book. I just don’t enjoy dark depressing psychological stories that revolve around childhood abuse. It may be a very good book that many have loved but I get dragged down emotionally and feel depressed.
I’m not sure I will ever eat pork again either.
Having said all that, I enjoyed Gone Girl and I'm currently reading Dark Places and so maybe I like reading about emotionally disturbed people.
Mod
Elyse wrote: "Ohhh vacation on the beach, very nice!! I just checked out Sharp Objects and I have Dark Places on hold. I liked Gone Girl up until the last 30 or so pages. What transpired completely killed it for..."My book club had a good discussion on the merits of the ending of Gone Girl.
I'll look forward to your review of her other 2 books. For some reason I still feel compelled to read Dark Places (and it was a free library download), even after feeling feeling icky about Sharp Objects. I do enjoy the fact that her endings have surprise twists. Just when you think you have it figured out, the story goes in a completely different direction.
10. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green2 stars
I commend the author for portraying a realistic view of the physical aspects of cancer and not showing the "sterilized" version of it that you usually read about or see on TV.
I feel kind of awful giving a book about 2 kids with cancer such a low rating but I found the constant witty, clever repartee annoying and unrealistic for any age, regardless of diagnosis or how well-read. It prevented me from becoming emotionally invested in the characters, and kept my eyes dry even though I cry easily. And perhaps the romance was just a little too sappy for my tastes.
Perhaps listening to it on audio affected my response to their conversations and this would have been a better book to read.
Ultimately, it made the book a 2 star "ok" read for me.
Mod
Elyse wrote: "The Fault in Our Stars is in my TBR pile. See, I tried an audiobook the other day and like 2 minutes in, I knew audiobooks weren't for me. The woman reading was so monotone. I like being able to sa..."I know exactly what you mean. It took me a while to become accustomed to audiobooks and really good ones enhance the story for me. It all depends on the narrator. A poor narrator can ruin a book and affect my rating.
There are series I prefer on audio. Alan Bradley's Flavia de Luce books and the No 1 Ladies Detective series come to mind. Some stand-alones were exceptional as audios, like Little Princes and Steve Jobs. I would probably prefer to read my books but I do like that I can multi-task while listening :-)
Having said all that, this book had an ok narrator, it just wasn't my cup of tea. But it may have been less annoying to read, lol. Luckily, you can listen to a sample on audible before buying so you can pick up pretty quickly if you don't care for the narrator.
JanB wrote: "...but I do like that I can multi-task while listening :-)"See, this is why I don't do audiobooks, because I CAN'T multi-task. I'd be focusing on whatever else I was doing and miss stuff and then want to go back and "re-read" which isn't as easy as with a book if I happen to zone out for a few paragraphs (I mean, no, I don't do that...)
Mod
lol! It was a challenge for me at first too and even now I work at it :-)
11. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn4 stars
Like all of Flynn's book's, this one is filled with seriously disturbed unlikable people. But I thoroughly enjoyed it because it was well-written, well plotted, and the character study was fascinating. There were gruesome scenes that I had to skim but I give it 4 stars because as I neared the end I couldn't flip the pages fast enough. The mystery was irresistibly compelling.
Kudos to an author who wrote a book that I enjoyed so much despite the fact that I normally don't like a book with gruesome scenes and unlikable characters. I liked this one much better than Sharp Objects but that's simply a personal preference due to subject matter.
Mod
Elyse wrote: "Just finished Sharp Objects. Yikes. Incredibly disturbing, dark, depressing, sad, emotional, messed up! I didn't enjoy it though it was written well. It was just a tough read. Reading a lighter boo..."Yep, that's a good description! Good idea to break the 2 up with something lighter in between. I'm interested to see which one you liked best.
Mod
Elyse wrote: "Finished Dark Places. Best of her books. Exactly as you said, couldn't flip the pages fast enough, even for all of the unpleasantness. She is a very very talented writer and I do look forward to m..."I think I like it equally well along with Gone Girl, even though they are such different books. Yes, she is very talented!
12. New From Heaven: The Bakerton Stories by Jennifer Haigh5 stars
With poignant stories spanning from the 40's to present day, all of the characters in this collection of short stories have ties to Bakerton, PA., a once-booming coal-mining town that has fallen on hard times. Each story is a snapshot of life in the residents of Bakerton, and all are told with great insight, compassion, and empathy. Although these characters first appeared in Baker's Towers, it's not necessary to read it first. I read that book years ago and remembered little.
This is not a book to devour at one sitting. I recommend reading them slowly and savoring them before moving on to the next. Each is thought-provoking and beautifully written.
Highly recommended and sure to be on my 2013 favorites list. Haigh is quickly becoming one of my must-read authors.
13. 1105 Yakima Street by Debbie Macomber14. 1225 Christmas Tree lane by Debbie Macomber
These are enjoyable as "comfort" reads in between heavier reading.
15. Speaking From Among the Bones by Alan Bradley (audio)
4 stars
I love this series on audio. The British narrator nails Flavia de Luce perfectly. I enjoy the 1950s English countryside setting. And I love Flavia. She is delightful, curious, and smart.
This particular book ended with quite a shocking cliff hanger and I can't wait for the next installment!
#6 above was Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwen.
My book club met this week and all but one member didn't like it. I give it one star according to the goodreads rating system. I thought it was dull, boring, and plodding and if it had not been a book club book I wouldn't have finished it.
16. The Good House by Ann Leary5stars!
Excellent! Sure to be one of my favorites of 2013, this book is entertaining from start to finish. Mary Beth Hurt is the narrator of the audio book. and in my opinion deserves an Audie award for her flawless performance as Hildy Good.
Hildy is a completely unreliable narrator with a sharp, biting wit that had me laughing out loud more than once. Along with Hildy, the author does a great job creating a New England village full of interesting characters. The book is well-written, and the plot is compelling, taking a suspenseful, darker turn mid-way through.
Highly recommended, especially the audio version!
Added two of your reads to my TBR pile and am REALLY considering whether or not I will be able to read Gillian Flynn.
Dawn Michelle wrote: "Added two of your reads to my TBR pile and am REALLY considering whether or not I will be able to read Gillian Flynn. "Which two?
My recommendation would be to start with Gone Girl and if you like it, then read Dark Places :-)
Still Life by Louise Penny and Faith by Jennifer Haigh. Several of your other reads are already ON my TBR list. :-)
Mod
Gone Girl would be my first read of her's. We will go from there. ;-)
Dawn Michelle wrote: "Gone Girl would be my first read of her's. We will go from there. ;-)"Good plan! Elyse is right. IMO Sharp Objects is the most "messed up" of her novels. You will love Jennifer Haigh and the Louise Penny book!
17. Benediction by Kent Haruf (audio)5 stars
I became a fan of Haruf's writing with Plainsong and Eventide. His latest, Bedediction, is beautifully written. A quiet, deeply moving, contemplative novel. Haruf is a master at writing about the ordinary in an extraordinary way.
The narrator of the audio version was excellent.
18. The Lost Art of Mixing by Erica Bauermeister4 stars
I enjoyed this book filled with quirky characters that revolve around Lillian’s restaurant. The writing is descriptive and the story is character-driven. I liked this one better than her first book, which had way too many eye-roll inducing similes for my tastes.
Recommended for something light in between heavier reads.
19. Anna Karenina by Leo TolstoyI began this on Feb 10 and it's been a little slow going. Tolstoy is not known for his brevity. I began listening to the Librivox recording (free!) for much of the last half and so despite having little time to sit and read in the last month I was able to finish it. One of the things I like about Librivox is the recordings are separated into chapters so it's easy to switch back and forth from print to audio. The book had a powerful ending and I'm looking forward to my book club's discussion next week.
20. The End of Your lIfe Book Club by Will Schwalbe
I was sick and housebound yesterday and my husband was working very late so I re-read the entire book. I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. What a great tribute to books and reading (as well as a tribute to his mother of course).
21. Heft by Liz Moore (audio)4 stars
A well-told story with quirky characters I came to care about. The book could easily have fallen into a tale full of clichés, stereotypes, and predictable endings but this book does none of that. Highly recommended!
One caveat: in the audio book Arthur's narrator was perfect but Kel's narrator spoke so slow and deliberate it drove me nuts. I increased the speed 1.5x just to make him sound normal.
22. The Dinner by Herman Koch5 stars
Expertly written and impossible to fully review without spoilers. The book starts out with wry and delightfully snide, witty commentary by our narrator on pretentious restaurants and waiters. I found myself laughing out loud and almost liking Paul.
But all is not as it seems and Paul is the most unreliable of narrators. The story evolves slowly and the tension builds as more of the story is revealed in courses. It was impossible for me to put down until the last page was turned.
This is a book that you simply must discuss when you finish. It would make a fabulous choice for book clubs.
Edited to add: Having just finished Anna Karenina 2 weeks ago, I loved the references to Tolstoy and happy families.
23. Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal by Mary Roach3.5
I did find this audio book amusing and clever although much of the humor is of the junior-high variety. I guess despite my training I can be immature :-)
My biggest criticism is some of the asides became tiresome and I thought the section on Elvis was mean-spirited and could be hurtful for his family. Thankfully, it was a very small part of the book.
24. Help, Thanks, Wow: Three Essential Prayers by Anne Lamott
3 stars
I don't always agree with Lamott's views but I do enjoy her self-deprecating humor and I appreciate her honesty and humility as she writes about her personal journey of faith. The style in this book is a little rambling but there are nuggets of wisdom. At around 100 pages, it would make a nice little gift book for someone experiencing personal struggles.
However, If you've never read Lamott, I suggest starting with Traveling Mercies.
25. The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbere-read in March/April for a book club meeting
5 stars
I enjoyed reading this the second time just as much as the first. A beautiful tribute to the power of books and a life of reading. A favorite of 2013!
26. Until I Say Good-Bye: My Year of Living With Joy by Susan Spencer-Wendell4 stars
When the author was diagnosed with ALS she decided she wouldn’t spend her remaining time going to endless doctor’s appointments in an attempt to delay the inevitable. She made a conscious choice to spend a year crossing off items on her bucket list and making memories with the special people in her life.
Susan’s book is part travel journal but along the way we get a glimpse into her family, which includes meeting her birth mother for the first time, parenting a child with Asperger's Syndrome, and getting a puppy. Most of it was typed on her iphone using only her thumb, the last digit she can still control.
Susan writes about living with joy and accepting what is, not what we would wish. “Our decision to just be. Accept. Live with joy anyhow. And die with joy, too”. Susan doesn’t shy away from the physical realities of living with ALS, and while I’m heartbroken for her and her family, mostly I am moved by Susan’s courage, strength, positive attitude and sense of humor. She has left a legacy to her children, not of how to die, but how to live with joy and gratitude.
I was on vacation and got a lot of beach reading done (even when it was too cold to go to the beach):27. The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald (audio)
5 stars for the beautiful prose and the social commentary. Jake Gyllanhaal was excellent as the narrator.
28. The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout
4 stars
Reading an Elizabeth Strout book reminds me of an often quoted saying: "Let us be kind to one another, for most of us are fighting a hard battle". I have a weakness for books dealing with dysfuctional families and no one does dysfunction as well as Strout. The book is worth reading for the prose alone.
I don't need to like or relate to the characters in a book to enjoy the story and appreciate the nuances, but the characters have to show change and growth. Strout's characters do just that. She excels at creating complicated, rather unlikable characters that you may not grow to like by the end, but you begin to understand what makes them tick.
The Burgess boys, polar opposites, and profoundly affected by a traumatic event in their childhood, return to their hometown in Maine to deal with a crisis involving their sister Susan's teen-age son. Family secrets and troubled sibling relationships are revealed while the story deals with a myriad of sub-plots, including the assimilation of Somali immigrants, prejudice, guilt, and forgiveness. But at its core, The Burgess Boys is about family, flaws and all.
29. Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
4 stars
The book’s title can be seen as having a double meaning as Kingsolver weaves the story of the changing flight patterns of the Monarch butterflies, seen as a “miracle” by many in the Appalachian community, with Dellarobia’s story of how she blossoms as her talents are revealed when scientists arrive in the community to study the butterflies.
The deviation into heavy-handed preaching about climate change in the middle of the book was an unwelcome intrusion. Without going into spoiler territory, a decision by Dellarobia and how she shares it nearly ruined the book for me. But Dellarobia’s compelling story and Kingsolver’s beautiful writing bumped my rating up to 4 stars. The ending will surely be a topic of discussion at book club!
30. Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg
E Berg has long been a favorite author of mine, and so often in her books a phrase or paragraph touched me as she perfectly and eloquently put into words feelings that are difficult to describe. With a couple of exceptions, I found most of her novels funny, heartwarming, and wise.
Unfortunately, this wasn't one of those novels. While the premise was intriguing, I found it trite, silly, and predictable. Even at 219 pages, it was difficult to finish.
31. Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Theresa Anne Fowler4.5
This had a bit of a slow start but once halfway through I couldn't put it down till the last page was turned. I knew little about the Fitzgerald's lives and this book led me to the internet to research them further. To me, that is the mark of a great read.
HIstorical fiction is a tough genre and I think Fowler struck the right note. The author's research was extensive and she stuck with the known facts, adding fictionalized accounts where necessary. The combination made this a highly readable book.
Reading about Scott and Zelda is like watching a train wreck about to happen. You know it's going to be ugly but you can't tear your eyes away. Zelda has been vilified in popular lore, likely due in large part to Hemingway's intense public slander campaign. Fowler paints a truer more complete picture of Zelda. She was a fascinating woman with a wild, independent streak, a woman before her times, with her own ambition and talents. She would have fit into the 1960s quite nicely.
Reading about how 2 people had so much love, but were so toxic for one another was fascinating and heartbreaking. Highly recommended! Having just listened to The Great Gatsby, it was insightful to read about the author.
32. The Obituary Writer3.5
Having lost a young daughter, Ann Hood knows grief personally and it shows through her writing. This is a compelling story on love and loss, and there is a lot here to learn on how to lovingly tend to the grieving. The book alternates chapters between Vivien and Claire during 2 very different time periods. The excerpts on the etiquette of grief from Emily Post that start each chapter were especially lovely. I loved the tenderness Vivien showed each grief-stricken family that appeared at her door asking her to write their loved ones obituary, and how she lovingly cared for a grieving mother in the first days after her child's death. Vivien is wrapped in her own grief after losing a loved one in the 1906 SF earthquake, and doing these things brings her a measure of comfort.
Claire is a 1960s housewife stuck in suburbia, miserable in her marriage to a controlling man, and feeling trapped in a life she doesn't want, yet having few choices. Her world is rocked when a child is abducted in her neighborhood and she realizes her safe and secure life was only an illusion. A resulting affair ends in unforeseen consequences and Claire has a decision to make. The author captured the 60's time period well and it was fun to look back at a country that was excited and hopeful on the eve of Kennedy's inauguration and the women's obsession with all things Jackie. Being a child of the 60s, the fun details on food, decor, and fashion was a blast from the past.
Although the two stories are very different, the lives of these two women intersect in a clever way that was easy to see coming but still didn't take the enjoyment away. The book was not without it's flaws but all in all a quick pleasurable read.
33. The Paradise Guest House by Ellen SussmanI'm not going to rate this book because IMO the narrator totally ruined the book for me. I should have abandoned it but having used an Audible credit, frugality won.
34. The Fate of Mercy Alban by Wendy Webb2 stars
I enjoyed her first book, The Tale of Halcyon Crane and had high hopes for her second book, but I was disappointed.
Although all the elements of a gothic tale are present: a spooky isolated castle with secret passages, ghosts, dark & stormy nights, supernatural events, and a woman in distress, the story fell flat for me. After a strong start, the mystery and intrigue just didn't pull me in to the story.
I do love the cover though :-)
The Supreme's at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore(DNF - did not finish)
I abandoned this book early on. It was too silly and farcical for my tastes and when the ghost of Eleanor Roosevelt showed up I closed the book for good. Don't believe reviews that call it the next "The Help". It's not even close.
35. Life After Life by Jill McCorkle2 stars
As a hospice volunteer, and with elderly parents in assisted living situations, I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed.
Each chapter is told from a different character's POV and more than a few are rambling and confusing stream of consciousness writing. I was expecting a story that, according to the book description, "celebrates the blessings and wisdom of later life and infuses this remarkable novel with hope and laughter". Instead this book and the lives of many of the characters left me feeling icky. I would have been better off not knowing what most of them were thinking and doing. The ending was odd and seemed to come out of nowhere.
However, I did enjoy Joanna's journal entries on her experiences as a hospice volunteer, and I loved Sadie, the 85 yr old retired teacher. There were some nuggets of wisdom but there just wasn't enough to push this book into the 'good" category.
One final observation: I'm no prude and vulgarity sometimes fits the story line but too many times in this book it felt gratuitous.
36. Abide With Me by Elizabeth Strout5 stars
It's the late 1950s and Tyler is a small-town minister suffering overwhelming grief and depression after the death of his wife. His older daughter is acting out at school and desperately needs help too. The town's inhabitants are gossipy, judgmental and running out of patience with Tyler. Their lack of compassion and understanding was a bit shocking, but given the mindset of the times it's a little easier to understand. Still, it was difficult at times to read their thoughts and conversations.
Tyler is trying to fulfill his duties and be godly like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a man Tyler greatly admires. He tries to find consolation and guidance in Bonhoeffer's writings and Scripture verses, both of which he often quotes silently in his thoughts. This was one of my favorite parts of the novel. I could feel Tyler's pain and his deep faith. Abide With Me is his favorite hymn. But he increasingly finds it difficult to continue on in a world that is full of grief, loneliness, and imperfection and he feels a disconnect between his faith and the world he suddenly finds himself in after his wife's death. Eventually, there is a crisis that tests not only Tyler but the townspeople.
This sounds like a sad and depressing read but due to Strout's skill and gentle beautiful prose I found it more contemplative than depressing. Strout writes about the ordinary and elevates it to the extraordinary. The ending is done well and leaves one with hope.
Highly recommended.
37. The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Cline3 stars
I feel I'm being generous with 3 stars. It's not that it was a bad book it just wasn't great. I already knew about the existence of the orphan trains, and I didn't find anything in this book particularly new or compelling. The story of orphans and foster children being treated shabbily has been done many times in many books.
38. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson5 stars
The central question in this novel is how do the seemingly inconsequential choices we make change the course of our lives, and even history? Immediately after finishing this book I wanted to start over and read it again so I've bumped my rating up to 5 stars.
Imaginative and beautifully written, Ursula is born and dies, and born again to live a different version of her life - over and over again. Sometimes she dies as an infant, sometimes as a child, other times, an adult. She has no memory of her previous lives, although she has a sixth sense, a déjà vu, that often leads her to make a different choice, or to act in a way that changes the course of her life, and the lives of those around her. Unfortunately, sometimes those choices sets off a sequence of events where one disaster is averted, only to lead to another unfortunate consequence. Sound confusing? It's not as confusing as it sounds once you get into the rhythm of the narrative.
Some of the strongest chapters revolves around WWII during the London Blitz, where Ursula works in a civilian rescue unit. We feel the terror of the bombing raids and the horror of excavating bombed out buildings and finding the injured and dead.
Atkinson writes beautiful prose with humor, emotion, and great characterizations. The humor was a welcome counterpoint to some of the darker aspects of Ursula's life (lives). The more I read the more I cared for Ursula and her sometimes quirky family.
Highly recommended. Be sure to take note of the chapter titles and the year as you read. I'd recommend the book over an e-reader or audio for that reason.
Mod
Elyse wrote: "Excellent. In my TBR. Hope the library has it!"It's a very unusual concept - tough to describe! I'll look forward to your thoughts on it.
39. The Winter Sea by Susannah Kearsley4 stars
I find some books that bounce between two eras annoying but this is not one of them. The Winter Sea switches from the present time to 1708, during the Jacobite uprising to return the exiled King James to Scotland and reclaim his crown.
Kearsley’s writing is compelling, mixing history and adventure with a bit of the supernatural and a touch of romance. I loved the setting and the characters. Along the way I learned quite a bit of Scottish history.
This is my second Kearsley book (The Rose Garden was the first) and look forward to reading more by this author. I particularly enjoy listening to her books on audio.
40. The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell4 stars
Rose Baker, is a rather dull, priggish typist for a police precinct. Her entire life is beyond dull and she has no friends. Set during the Prohibition years, the police are so busy that another typist is hired. Enter Odalia, a modern, glamorous, mysterious woman with bobbed hair. Rose is drawn to Odalia, and soon her fascination turns to obsession as she is drawn into Odalia’s world of speakeasies, luxurious hotel suites, and vacations at beach homes among the wealthy. But Rose begins to realize that Odalia is keeping secrets.
The attention to details of the time period, the clothing, the atmosphere, is spot on perfect. The story is slowly revealed and becomes more darker and twisted.
We learn early on that “something” happens. Rose is narrating the past and we are given hints that perhaps she is not the most reliable of narrators. You know something is wrong but you’re just not sure what it is. Is Odalia the one keeping secrets or is it Rose? Small things begin to happen that had me questioning what I’d read and the more I read, the more my opinion changed about the characters. Can the printed word be trusted? The reader is kept guessing.
Confused? So was I. So much so that I had to read the epilogue a couple times and I still can’t quite figure it out. I don’t need a story to be neatly tied up in a bow but there’s still a bit too much mystery left for my tastes. Otherwise it would be a 5 star read.
41. The Lost Husband by Katherine Center4 stars
This was a quick and fun book that I read at the beach but I would not put it in “beach read” category. Libby, a widow, and her 2 young children leave her mother’s condo in the city, where they’ve lived unhappily for several years, and move to a small town to live with Jean, her quirky aunt who runs a goat farm (the goats are named for famous women).
The themes of loss, grief, and change are never heavy-handed or depressing. I loved the quirky characters and the setting, and the lessons this story imparts are told with humor and charm. A highly recommended heartwarming tale!
42. Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews3 stars
This was just an OK read for me. I was looking for a light and fun beach read but found this one lacking the humor, wacky characters, and southern charm of her “Savannah” books. And there just wasn’t enough story here to warrant 432 pages. I found myself skimming some parts. I was tempted to give it 2 stars.
3.5 stars
I was looking for something light and fun to listen to and this fit the bill perfectly. Loved the British accent of the narrator.
2. Faith by Jennifer Haigh (re-read for book club)
4 stars
I loved this book the first time I read it and loved it even more on a re-reading. For those who have avoided this book due to the nature of the subject matter, I’d urge you to reconsider. This is not a church or priest bashing novel. Haigh takes on a volatile issue and deals with it in a sensitive thought-provoking manner. I would characterize this novel as a beautifully written, suspenseful family drama. Highly recommended!