Tag Archive: Fiction



Memory House (Memory House, #1)Memory House

by Bette Lee Crosby

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my second reading of this book. I stand by my first review. Except I have since read so many books by Bette Lee Crosby, so I felt more at home as I read it. I had the fourth and fifth books of this series on my TBR shelf. So I decided I should start it again, so I wouldn’t be lost. I did enjoy this and raised the star rating because of it. I love the friendships developed here and the curiosities of the histories of things and people in life. We should all follow these nudges of wanting to know more. By the way, I read this through Kindle text-to-speech.
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I was given this book by the author for an honest review.

I usually like Bette Lee Crosby’s stories. This one was no different. I liked the story. I liked the characters. I liked watching the main character grow into a better life than the one she had before.

Does this feel like it is leading somewhere? Well, it is. After getting to know the not-so-good current flame and watching it fade out, I was looking forward to getting to know the bicycle rider and the new flame. The book seems to assume that you remember these characters from other books. Um… no. I think the story would have done better had that assumption not ruled the day. It all seemed to end far too abruptly. For all the buildup to the magick the memory house contains, it just fizzled and left me wanting to throw the book away. I don’t feel that way often. But I just felt cheated.

Still, outside of the literary crash landing at the end, I liked the book. Maybe folks who don’t read 150 books a year would remember more characters from other books by the same author. I have trouble remembering my own name, so…

Anyway, there seem to be a lot of 5-star ratings, so maybe you would love it, too. Enjoy.

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A Spark of LightA Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the way of Jodi Picoult, this book hits many buttons yet tries to show more complex characters on both sides of the issue. And in this, she finds more than just two sides; there are variations on all sides, showing how difficult a theme she is covering.

The characters come to life. As in real life, there is good and bad in everyone. Good people making bad decisions, bad people doing good deeds. Making this more realistic than any book I’ve read on the subject.

The only thing I didn’t like about the book is the reverse timeline. It is even more confusing when an audiobook. Especially if you have technical issues with streaming or Audible. I think I understand why. If you place this story in a real timeline, there is no good outcome.

I was lucky to find this on Libby. By the way, Bahni Turpin and Jodi Picoult narrated seamlessly.

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Prelude to Foundation (Foundation, #6)Prelude to Foundation by Isaac Asimov
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After bingeing Foundation on Prime, I was determined to relive my teen romp in Asimov land. At 76, I can remember the library, the shelf, and checking out each of his books, I, Robot and Foundation series. But I couldn’t remember anything about the Foundation series. So I decided to reread them all. Instead of starting with the original three, I started with the more recently written, Prelude.

I have always loved Isaac Asimov’s writing, but they were a slow slog to get through, with the science taking precedence over the fantasy-leaning of other sci-fi novels by other authors. I found that, back in the day, his work was far less misogynistic. I think that it was that he just didn’t have many women in his books. And at least they didn’t fall into the arm-candy, bimbo, or crone categories.

Prelude gives us an intro to Hari. I found it as hard to get through as I loved the no-nonsense writing. So I will continue the series. Maybe I’ll finish before the next season streams. I was so happy to find the Kindle version of the book with text-to-speech on Libby.

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ArtemisArtemis by Andy Weir
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sadly, Artemis wasn’t nearly as fun and exciting as Andy Weir’s other space books. Still, it was a bit of a romp on the moon. Since the main character in this book was a feisty female, the narrator was Rosario Dawson. I think she did an excellent job acting out the parts.

We have a lot of books about naughty women. Let’s have serious women! None of Mr. Weir’s male characters would have acted like that. Sure, they had faults, but they were about the science. I am glad we are a step up from the madonna-whore-naive-giggling girl, but not much.

So, no. You tried. But still don’t get it. In fact, I doubt men would want a woman who got into that much trouble in their lives, much less protecting the moon people. WHY?!

By the way, I read/listened to this on Audible.

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The Night Swim (Rachel Krall, #1)The Night Swim by Megan Goldin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A podcast gets too real. Megan Goldin has written quite the thriller. With Bailey Carr, January LaVoy, and Samantha Desz reading, it kept me in the story awake.

I was fortunate to find this on Libby. As you can see on Amazon, the audio version is $500! Apparently, there is a second book, but I couldn’t find it in my Libby. It was only that I finished another book before I was ready to sleep that sent me looking for whatever interesting book was available at the moment. This one showed up on the list.

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Project Hail MaryProject Hail Mary by Andy Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG! This one was so good that I had to start the reread immediately after I finished. I had checked out the book from Libby, but had to buy the Audible version, as I know I will want to relive this adventure often.

It didn’t hurt that the Artemis was flying as I read.

I can’t wait to watch the movie!

If you haven’t tried this yet, you have so much fun awaiting you. Get it and enjoy!

By the way, the narration by Ray Porter was such a pleasure!

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The Queens of CrimeThe Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun diversion. Favorite mystery writers come together to solve a crime. Bessie Carter narrated, changing accents and characters as needed to keep the story moving and the reader engaged.

I was lucky to pick this audiobook up on Libby. Those more into mysteries will love it.

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Seven Tears Into the SeaSeven Tears Into the Sea by Terri Farley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I don’t know if I was off or if text-to-speech couldn’t help me stay focused, but I kept getting lost. I still have an image clear as a portrait of a girl giving her nightgown as her skin? But later, I realized it was the male who was the selkie. Where did his fur go? I’m sorry. Bedtime grogginess? Life issues got in the way?

Terri Farley has written many horse stories. I have many on my TBR list. But the ones I did get to, I have enjoyed. And I did like the time on the beach and the time spent with the characters. I just found myself lost at times. Maybe I’ll read it again later.

Maybe this book isn’t meant for 76-year-olds, though I often still feel I am in touch with the inner teen. I don’t know. I hope others love it.

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Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is โ€œportrait.โ€ Use it way youโ€™d like. Have fun!

By Any Other NameBy Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Billie Fulford-Brown (Narrator), Laura Benanti (Narrator), Jodi Picoult (Narrator, Author), Jayne Entwistle (Narrator), Andrew Fallaize (Narrator), Joe Jameson (Narrator), John Lee (Narrator), Nicholas Guy Smith (Narrator), Simon Vance (Narrator), Steve West (Narrator),

With this cast of narrators and the beautiful writing and research of Jodi Picoult, I found this book so fascinating that I just bought the Audible version so I can read it again soon.

If you think you know Shakespeare, this gives a possible theory, with convincing evidence of what might have happened.

This is a historic work and a modern work featuring the female condition of the ages.

I highly recommend this book. This audiobook was borrowed from Libby.

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Two Reviews in One


Katie Beudert narrated this Nancy Warren mystery duo.

I have to admit to not being nearly as charmed as I was with the Vampire Knitting Club and other lighter, more humorous series. But in my time of need for distraction, it filled the bill quite well. For me, it felt a combination of Maisie Dobbs and Emily in Paris.

I was happy to find both on Libby.

Somehow, I started book two first, but I always felt I was missing something. I found book one and started it over.

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