Grab a Book & Play Booktivity! discussion

Read any good books lately that fit our monthly theme?

Here's the place to share your opinions / reactions / recommendations.

Our July theme was suggested by Beverly.


4th of July: Read a book whose author's first and last initial are found in: SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY. (Middle initials, if used, can be ignored.)

Don't forget to post your review.

Happy reading!

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4th of July: Read a book whose author's first and last initial are found in: SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY. - B A


Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda – Becky Albertalli – 3.5***
The story of this high-school drama centers on Simon Spier, a gay 15-year-old, who’s not yet out to his family or friends. Ah, the drama of high school relationships. There’s a lot to digest here, from family dynamics to first love to what it means to be a true friend, and Albertalli handles it pretty well. I can see why this would be a popular YA title for any teen.
LINK to my full review

Sadie by Courtney Summers, 4 Stars

I hadn’t heard anything about this book, and picked it up for a book challenge. It is a Young Adult novel, and is very dark. After the murder of her little sister, Sadie sets out to find the person who did it. She has had a difficult life, mostly fending for herself and her sister, and trying to protect them both. It is told in the alternating views of Sadie and a podcast following her trail. The story is well laid out, and very engrossing.

The Camel's Back/ Kill List - Brian Shea - (Connecticut)
(S&B)
A Nick Lawrence Novel
5★
I loved, respected and rooted for the two main characters. If you are a reader that demands that the line between right and wrong remain clear and defined, you may have some minor problems with this one. If you can see that sometimes the situation begs the line to be slightly blurred... then read on. You can tell that the author has had law enforcement experience or else was very close with someone that had, almost from the start of the book. My retired cop says it was "right on". Whatever the experience...it has obviously aided him in writing a believable police procedural with outstanding, and true situations and encounters between the suspects and the police. I don't think there are enough adjectives to describe this story, so I'll just choose "Fantastic". It's a sensational story in every possible way. Opps...another adjective.

Arctic Sun - Annabeth Albert - (Alaska) Reread (A & A)
Frozen Hearts series Book #1
5★
The first half of the book takes places during a very special nature photography tour in Alaska, and the descriptions made me feel like I was in the heart of Alaska. River and Griff were fighting so hard to NOT be attracted to one another as both men had had problems in their past and were more than leery of inviting more even though their hearts say to go for it. It’s a beautiful story of love and healing. I love the depth that Annabeth Albert puts into her characters, and this book did not in any way disappoint in character development. It does seem to be a bit slower than her other books. That said, the story was full of deep feels and excellent plotting that made a heartwarming story in which River and Griffin learn to accept themselves and each other as they are.

The Lifeguards - Amanda Eyre Ward - (Texas) -(A &W)
4.5★
The story is told in the voices of three mothers, with chapters also told by their three teenage sons. In spite of the humor and musings you know that these are some seriously frightened women. I have read some other books by this author, and I have found the same topic thread runs through most every one of her "people on paper". What I have found both amazing, and refreshing is how well she handles allowing them to face issues such as immigration, illness, alcoholism, suicide, guilt, family trauma, loneliness, and estrangement. She allows them to be petty, make the wrong choices again and again, fail badly, but then she picks them up, dusts them off, and has them try again. On this first night of a Texas summer the three boys find the body of a woman near their swimming hole. Something seems off about the boys’ story about finding the body, and as the police investigate and the mother's contact lawyers, each must decide between her friendship with the other mothers and her family. The more they discover...the more they wish they hadn't. Amanda Ward did a creditable job of keeping her readers guessing while providing some twists and coincidences. I seldom recommend books since everyone has diverse interest and tastes, but this one is worthy of a recommendation to anyone that likes mysteries, police procedurals and family trauma.

4th of July: Read a book whose author's first and last initial are found in: SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY. - D A


The Upright Piano Player – David Abbot – 3.5***
This work of literary fiction is a striking debut. Abbott gives us the story of Henry Cage, a successful businessman who seems to have it all: a fine home, a successful career, and a reputation for being a principled and upstanding man. But his outward success hides personal failure. Although I liked it, the structure of the book left me feeling dissatisfied, and with more questions than answers.
LINK to my full review

The Life (and Wife) of Allen Ludden by Adam Nedeff
5 stars


Not only is this a biography of Allen Ludden, it is also a biography of his wife, Betty White, and a history of game shows in the 50's and 60's. Well-written, well-researched. Interesting bio of a well-loved game show host.

The Billy Bob Tapes: A Cave Full of Ghosts by Billy Bob Thornton 4 stars


I've been intrigued by Billy Bob Thornton for years...even though you rarely hear about him any more. I think my first impression of him was that he was just weird...always nice to judge someone you know nothing about except what you hear from the media. Then I saw Slingblade...which I watched under duress (to begin with)...and decided that of course he's weird...he's a genius. Now, after reading his book, I still think he's weird (a little) but really, just a product of his life, his experiences and his way of looking at things...so, weird like me or any of us really!! This book is not landmark literature, not riveting and certainly not profanity free...but I think it's definitely his truth and that's what makes it fascinating.

Shiver - Allie Reynolds -(France) (A &R)
4.5 stars
We start out with meeting eight Olympic-hopeful snowboarders who spend a winter training together at a French resort. The winter ends disastrously with one of them missing and presumed dead, and another crippled in a horrific accident. The trauma splits the group apart with almost no contact between them afterwards. Fast forward 10 years ...five of them arrive for an off-season reunion at the mountaintop resort. Once there they discover they’re really, really alone. The cable car and phones are disabled, the emergency radios are missing, and the person(s) they thought organized the reunion are denying it. Then a strange Icebreaker game suggests one of them is a killer…and that they may not be alone after all. The author does a great job getting you invested in her characters. You have good reasons to suspect each, but at the same time you don’t want it to be any of them because you’ve come to care about them and like them. They’re all broken in some way by the events that happened ten years ago. It keeps you off balance throughout the book. The author, Allie Reynolds knows what she’s writing about. She knows the area; and she knows the sport since having been a former top ten UK snowboarder herself...all allowing her to create a story that takes you in and places you in the chalet with the characters and maybe also a killer.

The Secrets They Keep- Emerald O'Brien
Knox and Shappard series Book #2
3★
Maybe it was just me, but i really couldn't get into this. It started out slow and for me, it just never picked up. About the time I thought it was starting to, it went off into past events again that had happened with the two sisters when they were children. By the time it returned to the current day story...I was just past caring. The story had crime, a mystery and action...some of the things that I need to be in a good mystery...and I can't even say that it wasn't well written. I bet anyone with more patience and tolerance than I have will probably be crazy about it. I'm not writing it off. I may try it again some other time.

4th of July: Read a book whose author's first and last initial are found in:
SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY. - D S


The Kill Artist – Daniel Silva – 3***
This is the first in a series starring Gabriel Allon, whose cover is that of an art restoration specialist. The action is fast and furious and sometimes confusing, as is to be expected in an espionage thriller. There are more twists and turns than a casual reader can keep track of. And a basic knowledge of of Israeli / Palestinian relationships and politics is necessary. This is a long-running series, with over twenty books, but I doubt I’ll pick up another. Just not my cup of tea.
LINK to my full review

4th of July: Read a book whose author's first and last initial are found in: SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY. - S Y


Much Ado About You – Samantha Young – 3***
Evie Starling, a thirty-three Chicagoan who’s just broken up with her boyfriend and been disappointed one time too many at work, decides to take a Bookshop Holiday in England to re-evaluate and regroup. She doesn’t expect to meet the devastatingly handsome local sheep farmer (and his even cuter dog). A charming rom com with all the usual tropes. Perfect for a light holiday read.
LINK to my full review

Blood Water Falls - TG Reid -(Scotland)
DCI Bone series Book #2
4★
From the start of the book DCI Bone did not appear to be at all a "happy camper". He snapped at his team and grumbled constantly to himself, but I guess since he was recovering from an injury, that he had received in the first book, that it was understandable. It just unnecessarily took up story space. He and his team were doing a good job with the murder investigation since soon they had WAY too many possible suspects. Bone soon whittled them down and of course, solved the case. The author has created some great characters that seem almost like real people with their banter and teasing among themselves and the glimpses we are allowed to see in their families...especially Bone and his ex-wife and his son. The plot is again really intriguing making this second book a welcome addition to what is going to be an outstanding series.

A Village Murder by Frances Evesham
The Ham-Hill Murder Mysteries #1

A fun cozy read/listen. This was my first from Frances Evesham. A quiet English village, a stray dog who needs a home and murder...what more can a mystery reader want??? When Imogen Bishop, a landscape gardener finds her husband, Greg, dead in the orangery at her father's hotel it is a crushing blow. Unfortunately, it eventually also brings back memories of the untimely death of one of her classmates 30 some years ago. Once the investigation begins, it seems that the old case that has haunted her for years may have some connection to her husband's untimely murder and perhaps even the recent death of her father. I'm tempted to move on in the next book in the series...I'm a fan of the cozy English village crime fests!!

SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY--A and S


3 stars
Aaron Sanchez does a good job on giving you a little look into his childhood. He also talks about his mother, Zarela and her love for cooking plus the success she found when she moved to NY. Aaron also goes into his wrongs, rights and dealing with depression all while becoming the Man and Chef he is.
I was not surprised about a lot of content and his paths, good and bad, but I did learn some things about him I had not heard before. I like that he gives a very honest, raw look into his life and that he put a few recipes throughout the book. I would have liked a little more of a peek into the behind the scenes of each show that he has been involved in. Overall, I was pleased with the book.

4th of July: Read a book whose author's first and last initial are found in: SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY. - L W

And here's a little Christmas in July!

A Cowboy For Christmas – Lori Wilde – 2.5**
Okay, it’s an Avon Romance and I was expecting something predictable and heart-warming, not great literature. This had a lovely premise: a struggling, young widow with a toddler, meets her late husband’s estranged brother and the sparks fly. But there’s a very weak subplot involving Lissy’s mother-in-law; this tortured character just tortured me every time she appeared on the page, and the book lost a ½ star as a result. That’s not to say that I won’t get back on the horse and try another of Wilde’s cowboy romances in the future.
LINK to my full review

Book Concierge wrote: "4th of July: Read a book whose author's first and last initial are found in: SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY. - L W

And here's a little Christmas in July!


A Co..."

Thank you so much for this review. I have a friend that is in a nursing home that I get books for and take to her each week that I visit. all she wants to read are "sexy cowboys" and the library is running out. A new author and the library has several.

SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY--L & B

1 star
Read the first two chapters and knew this book was not for me. Title should have been, I married a Man in Uniform and became a Drama Queen.

Hush - Tal Bauer - (Washington D.C.) - (T&B)
5★
A different kind of M/M romance than usual and it will keep you guessing until the very last page, while also making you reflect on the past. It’s also an extremely unique perspective on the judicial system, and a visceral look at how it and society defined a life. Mike is a United States Marshall working at the DC courthouse. His job is to protect the members of the judicial system who uphold the laws of the nation. Federal Judged Tom Brewer is one of those members who falls under Mike’s protection. But there’s more to Tom than the black robes he wears. I enjoyed the everyday court proceedings and the case with the mountain of evidence. All the relationships between marshals, lawyers and judges were so intricate and well done. It felt like getting into a nest of vipers, but isn't that Washington D.C. for you? In spite of that, it was absolutely fascinating. The case and the subsequent bread crumb trail to the truth was clever and fast paced and well written. I never saw some things coming. Tal Bauer seems to be an absolute wonder at plot twists and turns.

4th of July: Read a book whose author's first and last initial are found in: SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY. - D S


Balzac And the Little Chinese Seamstress – Dai Sijie – 5*****
During China's Cultural Revolution, three young men are sent to a mountain villages for re-education. One of them has a secret horde of books. The other two are captivated by the books and also by the little seamstress, daughter of the district’s tailor. Sijie gives us descriptions of the harshness of the terrain and of their forced labor. The scenes in the coal mine were particularly harrowing. But there are many humorous scenes, as well. I have read this little gem of a novel several times. It is luminously written. For me, it answers the question, "Why do you read so much?"
LINK to my full review

Carol wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "
And here's a little Christmas in July!
...

Thank you so much for this review. I have a friend that is in a nursing home that I get books for and take to her each..."

And many blessings to you, sweet Carol, for visiting your friend and keeping her supplied with appropriate cowboy romances (or whatever she wants to read)!

- (R &W)
Every Breath You Take (Nights at Mata Hari) - Robert Winter - (Washington D.C.)
Nights At Mata Hari Series Book #1
5★
As I've said before about Robert Winter's September and Asylum...they are absolutely fantastic books and characters. When I saw the series "Nights at Mata Hari" by Winters, with Every Breath You Take being book 1, and thought since I liked the others so much, why not? This series is slightly different. Where the two books I mentioned were more M/M romance stories, this one is more of a mystery with some pretty hot guys and some romance thrown into the mix. I understood Thomas's theory for only taking guys home with him once and no repeats...but didn't think that was going to work out for him for very long, especially when he met Zachary and how different his feelings were for Zach than any of the others. Now about the killer...I was half right...but also half wrong. Absolutely brilliant the way you sneaked that one in Mr. Winter! I have book 2 in this series, Lying Eyes... and Robert Winter is still on the top of my favorite authors of all times list, even if he did only let me be half right and made me stay up really late to find out just how wrong I was.

- ( F & S)
Learning to Love - Felice Stevens - (New York)
Enemies To Lovers series
2.5★
This was all over the chart and there was so much of it that I just didn't "get". These two went to school together ten years ago but they barely gave one another the time of day let alone expressed any romantic feelings. Actually, Gideon hated Jonah and blamed him for something that he thought he had done but was willing to forgive him for ten years down the road. Really??? What exactly was Jonah supposed to have done???? Gideon was a train wreck waiting to happen. He was moody, insecure, hot tempered and too quick to jump to the wrong conclusions. Such an unlikeable character that I thought Jonah should have counted his lucky stars and shut and locked the door. It's a likable enough storyline, but not believable, understandable, or executed very well, which is unusual for this author. Too much was left unexplained. Felice Steven's characters are always "damaged" but so far in all her books that I have read, they have been worthy of the time to "repair" them. Jonah should have just put Gideon back on the shelf.

- (A & O)
Heartstopper Volume One - Alice Oseman - (England)
5★
It's a YA graphic novel but contains a very moving storyline that any young gay person will find hope and encouragement in. I wish my son had had this book during his high school years. It would have answered a ton of questions for him. Charlie and Nick are 14 & 16...and cuter than a speckled puppy, as my grandmother used to say. You can't help but love them and wish them all the best things in the world. There is a very brief happening in the storyline that may be a put-off for some but overall, it is an adorable offering. I'm going to buy this Volume and Volume 2 and donate them to our local Pride group. I'll see that they eventually have all of them. I believe there are 6.

Lying Eyes - Robert Winter - Washhington D.C.) R & W
Nights in Mata Hari Book #2
4.5★
Randy, who is part owner of the piano bar Mata Hari, was part of the team that rescued Zachary in the first book in this series, Every Breath You Take, so I was really looking forward to his story as well as just reading something else by Robert Winter. I loved Randy and most of the other characters. Some we weren't supposed to love or even remotely like. What I wasn't much interested in was all the art information, but I know it was necessary since the story revolved around Randy's painting, "Sunrise", that may have been worth millions of dollars... and Jack, the appraiser that came from England to see the painting. The attraction was almost immediate between Jack and Randy, but they each knew that distance, and time, along with other issues, was bound to pull them apart. Randy had also recently rescued a young man from a street gang and being big hearted, had given him a place to stay...so the question was what was going to happen to the young man since he couldn't stay at Randy's home forever? All the characters from the first book and some from September (Pride & Joy, appeared briefly in this one also which is something that I always really like. We also got to meet Luc, Randy's uncle's partner. Both men had been a big influence in Randy's life. This is not your average M/M romance. The story is built around and contains a great deal of suspense and mystery. There is also several scenes of consensual bondage and discipline that may not appeal to all readers. Robert Winter is a magnificent storyteller and has again written a book that more than engages you from start to finish. There are so many unexpected plot twists that you never see coming. We are reminded that appearances can be deceiving, and that everyone is deserving of a second chance. I sincerely hope that there will be many, many more books in this series with all these wonderful, delightful characters.

4th of July: Read a book whose author's first and last initial are found in: SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY. - I S


The Case of the Missing Books – Ian Sansom – 3***
This is the first in a new series starring Israel Armstrong, the librarian in charge of the mobile library van in the small Irish village of Tundrum. It was mildly entertaining and I did like all the book references, but I prefer more actual mystery in my cozy mysteries. I doubt I’ll read any more of the series.
LINK to my full review

4th of July: Read a book whose author's first and last initial are found in: SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY. - S T



The Burden of Proof – Scott Turow – 3.5***
Turow turns his attention to the defense attorney from Presumed Innocent , Alejandro “Sandy” Stern. It opens with a shocking discovery. And quickly expands to a complicated legal mess, involving securities / commodities trading, that frankly lost me in its complexity. I really loved how Turow wrote Sandy and his relationships. This is really more character-driven than most legal thrillers. But the plot complexities, however puzzling to me, were also what kept me interested and engaged and wondering and guessing right to the end … which is a stunner.
LINK to my full review

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

A fascinating historical fiction. Rachel, a young girl living in Honolulu in 1891, becomes the second person in her family to develop leprosy. The law at that time is that anyone with this dread disease must immediately be sent to the leper colony on Moloka'i. So, at the age of 7, Rachel is sent to the colony. This book tells the story of her life. The author creates such an absorbing tale about such a terrifying disease. The reader follows Rachel through the ups and downs, her losses, her wins, world events and the actual history of the treatment of people coping with leprosy. I just felt immersed in her life and all those she interacted with. I really enjoyed this and learned a lot.

Until the Robin Walks on Snow by Bernice L. Rocque

This was a very different read than what I expected. It was OK but didn't really go anywhere in particular. The book says that it's based on a true story but it's really just basically about a preemie born in the winter to a fairly isolated family and how they got the baby through the winter. I was glad that the book ended on a positive note and it was interesting to read about their methods (i.e. skin to skin contact 24 hours a day and then a basket by the kitchen stove after hours of testing placement) of keeping the child warm. Also, the way they learned to nourish the baby until he was strong enough to suckle. Just a slice of life basically, no further information on what happened to the family or the baby once Spring was upon them.

The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake

This was the latest selection for The Big Library Read and I found it to be fascinating. I have already purchased the next book in the series and hope that I can get to it soon! A young girl is the only survivor of her family's run in with a deadly pandemic. The family's doctor takes the child in and raises her as his own. He exposes her to any and all of the medical practices that she's interested in and she decides that medicine is the field for her. Unfortunately, the social climate they live in is not supportive of women having anything to do with medicinal studies, so she must indulge her curiosity only within her own home while her father/teacher is there. When the doctor has to be out of town and an emergency situation arises, she must decide if saving a life is worth the risk of being discovered.

The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

Read for my Page Turners book group in June and July. I have to say that this is another book that surprised me. I thought it would be almost totally about sword fights and companions (One for all and all for one) but really it was more about a young d'Artagnan, who wants to become a musketeer. To my way of thinking he is really the main protagonist in this story. I'm glad I read the book (another one to check off the 1001 list) but I had a difficult time following it. In fact, I ended up to listening to an audio that was produced by Audible hoping that it would help me out. In some ways it did. I enjoyed the multiple cast members and I think I picked up more of the humor that was used but there were a couple of points that were entirely different than the book...although the outcome was the same. So, it was worth my time and we enjoyed the discussion at book club and now if someone brings the subject up, I'd at least be able to enter into the discussion.