Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris
WOW... normally I can figure out psychological mysteries, but this one had me guessing until the end. 5 star read.
Layla and Finn are a couple. They have a fight at a rest stop in France. Finn leaves the car to "cool off" and when he returns she's gone. Fast forward 12 years and Finn is now living with and soon to get married to Layla's sister Ellen. Great characters, story line and best yet I bought into the story. Don't want to give too much away. Added bonus Russian nesting dolls make an appearance throughout the book- I've always wanted a set of these. I'll definitely be reading more by B.A. Paris.
Love and Ruin by Paula McLain
3 stars- audiobook. This is a book about Hemingway and his third wife Martha ("Marty"- journalist and author). I loved "The Paris Wife" a story about Hemingway and his first wife Hadley. (Side note if I had another kid and it was a girl I'd fight hard for her to be named Hadley). I didn't enjoy this book as much. I thought it lacked the strong character connections of this wife, Marty, as I felt with his first wife Hadley. Still a very interesting lady. I like the way Paula knows how to write historical fiction. I did really enjoy the end of the book during WWII (big surprise). I would have liked more about this part of the story for "Marty", and possibly even enjoyed more story about what happens to "Marty" post Hemingway.
The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams
I am so into historical fiction about leading ladies who are strong, empowering, heroines. This book was a steal- purchased for $6 at Half Price Book. Great story! 4 star review (but I keep wanting to give it 5- not sure why I didn't). This author's style of writing reminded me of Fiona Davis' style. The chapters in the book take turns going from one leading lady from current era (mid 1960s) and the next chapter leading with another leading lady from past era (1914- pre WWI). Vivian, 1960's leading lady, is a journalist and trying to become a respected writer in a male dominated 1960's world. Vivian receives a suitcase in her mailbox from Zurich of long ago, from an unknown aunt- 1914 leading lady- Violet. Vivian knew little of her Aunt Violet and their stories intertwine and mirror each other throughout the book. Great read!
The Cafe by the Sea By Jenny Colgan
4 stars audiobook. Such a fun summer read/listen. Loved the story. Loved the main character. she was a typical Jenny Colgan leading lady- "woman in flux". Flora is not having the best of luck with guys, and is obsessed with her boss. She returns to her hometown of Mure, per request of her boss working as a paralegal for a client of theirs. This client is demanding and making waves in her little hometown as he is trying to take over land and change the feel of her hometown. She has some baggage hanging onto her in regard to her last time in Mure- her mother's funeral. She returns to her family home where her brothers and father are trying to survive. Among the family reunion she is also trying to do her job, which is challenging in many ways. As Jenny always is able to do she brings into this story food, family, friends, and love. Good beach read!
The Daily Question for You and Your Child by Waterbrook
I already highlighted this book earlier as it was a copy sent to me for review by Waterbrook publishing. I was very lucky to ask to review this book. It has been a lovely addition to our dinner time discussion. Even my 8th grade is enjoying answering the daily questions each page asks. It will be fun to see if our answers change over the years- three years of questions (same one asked- separate spots to answer the question for each year). Would be a great memento of raising our children and would be a great gift for anyone getting ready to have a kid or someone who already has one.
7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker
A christian look at our excessive, over the top living. I gave this book 4 stars. Jen Hatmaker and her friends (aka Council) take 7 months to participate in an "experimental mutiny against excess". Each month is focused on a different subject: clothes, spending, waste, stress, media, possessions, and food. I really like Jen's approach. Although not all the chapters "spoke to me". For example, I just couldn't get into the waste chapter. Other chapters lit my heart and head on fire (possessions- motivated me to purge my closet and my kid's- several garbage bags of donated clothes later). I also received the workbook that goes with this book and my plan was to read this book first and then start on the workbook. I think a needed read for many of us. She had so many great lines that spoke to me I wanted to share.
pg 4 "See I'm an extremist. I don't learn lessons easily, subtly, or delicately...If God gives me an inch, I will take a marathon".
pg 6 "Luckily, I married Mr. Responsible who has rescued me from disaster more times than I'd like to admit."
pg 24 " I developed resistance to sermons because so many have been heard but rarely seen."
pg 28 "Ghandi's astute observation: 'I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
pg 156 " Just because I can have it doesn't mean I should."
The Life Giving Leader by Tyler Reagin
Always thankful to @WaterBoorkMultnomah for sending me this book to review. Full review can be found in earlier posts- so not going to rehash it again. It just wasn't a book that gave me much. I couldn't connect with this author or his writing style. I felt like it lacked some deep dive in on ideas on how to become and authentic leader. That is what I was looking for. 2 stars in my book.
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Audiobook and three stars. Loved the way the story was written- quite a bit of it in letter writing form. Multiple point of view and voices heard throughout the story. I felt as if I could envision a play on stage while listening to this book. I didn't like it because it just made me sad. So nothing was wrong with the writing or the story, I just wanted to get it over because it depressed me.
Roy Jr. is married to Celestial. Unluckiness follows them into their marriage and within the first year of marriage Roy Jr. is wrongfully accused of raping a woman. He is sent to jail and hence why the writing in letter form fits so well to the story line. I struggled with liking Roy Jr's character as I thought he was hypocritical with his action and thoughts throughout the story. I did like Celestial and really felt for her situation. I think this book is true to life and sometimes the truth can just bog me down in the reading process and make it not so enjoyable.
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
Greer Kadesky's life unfolds throughout this story with added sub stories and players: Faith Frank, Zee, and Corey. I felt like this was an epic story. Starting in high school and following Greer through to mid adult life. It took me awhile to read this story, because I really felt like I had to read every word or I'd miss something. Although interesting story line I sometimes felt like I had to re-read and meticulously read as not to get confused with course and people of the story. This type of reading wears my brain out. I did love how the story evolved, was real and at times gut wrenching. Superb word usage in telling a coming to life story. 4 stars
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler
2 stars audiobook. This is our book club read for September. Since I couldn't get the actual book I chose to listen to the audio. It was a painful book to make through. If the author and her editor had cut the first part of the book out I think I would have liked this book better. Better yet if the author would have arranged the book in chronological order instead of reverse chronological order I found the first half to be like nails on a chalkboard. I didn't understand the purpose of the book or what the author was trying to bring forward with character development and story line. I was disappointed, but the book did get better in 2nd and 3rd part.
Not the Boss of Us by Kay Wills Wyma
Thanks Kay for such a needed read for this time in life I'm in. I'm giving it 4 stars. a Thanks also to Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group for sending me this copy to review. I already posted a blog post earlier in this month about this book. It was one of my favorite books I've received to review so far. A needed read for anyone feeling overwhelmed with life. See previous post for more detail on this read.
Well that is all folks. Great month of reading and already 13 days into September reading. It is a good reading life!
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