Category: Reading



OvergrowthOvergrowth by Mira Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is going to go down as one of my favorite books, ever. I am sad to have to let it go, but I’m promising myself to read it again soon.

I loved the whole story. I thought at first that it was another cozy mystery, just as it starts with the mother and family. But get ready, this is a roller coaster of fun, adventure, and, yes, nail-biting fear.

I listened to the Libby audio version, narrated by Caitlin Kelly, whose voice, acting, and enthusiasm make this so enticing to read that I picked it up at every chance. But I think this would hold up without a reader. The snark and love would show through, no matter how you decide to dive into it.

Thank you to whoever recommended it to me. I’m sorry, I don’t remember who it was.

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The House of the SpiritsThe House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is so much to this book, I am having a hard time pinning it all down. But I found a review on GoodReads that says it all. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show…

This is a book about three generations of a family in Chile. All the characters are well-developed and complex, with both strengths and flaws. Ultimately, there may be a cautionary note for all of us.

Ana Navarro recommended this book on The View during the “Ladies Got Lit” segment. It is worth jumping into.

As I was browsing through the reviews, I realized this is actually book three, so I put book one on hold, Daughter of Fortune. I may have to read this book again after a deep dive into the first two. It held up well as a stand-alone for me. The writing is great, with enough Spanish to make me pay attention. Javiera Gazitua (Narrator) and Senรฉn Arancibia (Narrator) brought the book alive. I found this on Libby,

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The Inheritance of Orquรญdea DivinaThe Inheritance of Orquรญdea Divina by Zoraida Cรณrdova
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The thing about reading is how many places you get to go. In this case Ecuador. Experience language, history, culture, foods, family interactions in a magical-yet realistic.

Ana Navarro recommended this book and I’m glad she did.

Don’t you love it when you can practice little bits of the Spanish language as you read. Meanwhile, I so enjoyed the far fecthed family adventures and immersed in magic.

This was a fun ride. Frankie Corzo (Narrator) reads Zoraida Cรณrdova’s charactors so well you feel you are there with the characters going through some very crazy times.

I was so fortunate to pick this up from Libby.

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I Am YouI Am You by Victoria Redel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a surprise. It seemed a little self-indulgent or preachy at times, but much of the story was intriguing. I loved the aspect of history and painting. I found the story of the ‘boy’ suddenly needing to be herself an interesting concept, as well as how one adjusts to that change in self-perception.

The historic, Dutch aspect gives the story depth.

There are times when I don’t like the main character or the others who appear, but that could be a reflection of the coldness of the social structure in that time and place.

I’m not sure how I obtained this book, but it is a giveaway right now on GoodReads. I think you might like it.

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Children Of The Sun: A Novel of Epic Paranormal Fantasy (The Comyenti Series Book 2)Children Of The Sun: A Novel of Epic Paranormal Fantasy by Natasja Hellenthal
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The blurb for this book mentions a cliffhanger at the end of book one. I didn’t notice that because I had book two ready, so I was able to continue the story. But straight up front, I’m warning you that no matter how wonderful the story is, this book ends in a horrid cliffhanger. I refuse to read anything else in this series.

On the other hand, if you don’t mind that kind of ending, the rest of both of these books are interesting.

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Call Off The Search (The Comyenti #1)Call Off The Search by Natasja Hellenthal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I finished this book a few days ago. It was a little different in paranormal fiction. Refreshing.

The story grabbed me from the beginning and kept me guessing. I loved the nature-loving theme throughout the book. I highly recommend reading the blurbs on Goodreads or Amazon, then enjoy the book.

I wish I could say more, but, like I said, it’s been a couple of days since I finished Call Off the Search and moved on to its sequel, Children of the Sun. Let me warn you. If you dislike cliffhangers, like me, the next book may not be for you.

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The Lightning Stenography DeviceThe Lightning Stenography Device by M.F. Sullivan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, that was a trip. And if it wasn’t interesting in some places, making me think about some ideas expressed, I’d say it was hours I’d never get back.

I want to thank NetGalley for letting me read this one. It was worth the thoughts.

The idea of a machine that could write for you without spell check and fumbling fingers seemed unique, until I realized that the paralyzed people already had that kind of thinking machine.

The Lightning Stenography Device, shortens to LSD. Drug use is implied often. And that kind of lucid writing, as if from an impaired writer, rambles forth. Many deep philosophical views are turned into sagas of gods and angst.

Mostly, this felt like an anthology of short stories tied loosely together. Just not my kind of book.

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My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This Time Next Year We'll Be LaughingThis Time Next Year We’ll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This has to be my favorite memoir. I love how Jacqueline Winspear takes us through her life. It is perfect in that she does her own narration.

If you were lucky enough to read or listen to the Maisie Dobbs series, you are rewarded in this autobiography by the glimpses of a real life beneath the fictitious murder mysteries. Ms. Winspear leads us through her childhood in England and to adulthood in Ojai, CA. We meet her family and see how their lives blended with the events in history and how they survived.

If you get the chance, Libby has this audiobook. It is a great way to ease away from the mystery series. Her life’s story helps me look at my own life and how to bring in the bits I have left out of my story without hurting others. Just tell your story. Now, if only I had a wonderful English accent!

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ConclaveConclave by Robert Harris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Pope died. It’s time for a new one. We’ve lived through a few of these. It is an interesting concept.

I’m not Catholic, but I have friends and family who are or have been. So I’ve always been curious. How does this work? How do they choose, especially since the church has a range of awesome and sinful? So when I saw the author on a talk show, I put the book on hold with Libby.

It was okay. For me, it was falling into a past of reading about men by men. Quite boring. But I’m glad I read it. Tiny bits of progress of thought seem to thread through this story. But I wonder if women are anything less than barefoot, pregnant witches to these self-important men. Sorry. Not sorry.

Still, these are my opinions that are changeable like the wind. Read it yourself and enjoy.

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Every Moment SinceEvery Moment Since by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I ran out of something to read too early in the night. Libby had this story available to borrow. I wasn’t sure about it. Murder mysteries are not my favorite. Especially in cases where a child is missing. But with the multiple narrators and character development, I was drawn in. Although it was a whodunit, it was more about family relationships, watching the characters grow up without their loved one.

It is undoubtedly sad at times, but one has to find equilibrium after loss. I think that was the main point of the story.

I loved Marybeth Mayhew Whalen’s writing and the acting chops of Cassandra Campbell, George Newbern, Kirby Heyborne, Jane Oppenheimer, Macleod Andrews, and Renata Friedman.

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