Headstrong by Rachel Swaby: Book Review
I love that Ms. Swaby has taken the time to write mini biographies of women in the sciences whose accomplishments are so often overlooked. They made significant discoveries. I’d heard of some; others were completely new to me. I’m glad to have some gaps in my knowledge filled in. I was often […]
Best. State. Ever. by Dave Barry: Book Review
4 Stars. My husband is a travel nurse who largely grew up in Miami and in winter months we often find ourselves back in Florida as he works at different hospitals around the state. Even before we started traveling, we visited my in-laws, who live in Naples now, at least once a year. Needless to say […]
The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams: Book Review
I’m classifying this as a cozy mystery simply because the murder and investigation fit that genre. But it’s way darker than I expected. The four main characters have some very troubling secrets in their pasts. It was nice to watch them share their stories and start to heal together though. I didn’t […]
Vicious by V.E. Schwab: Book Review
I’ve somehow never read any of V.E. Schwab’s books, and I consider myself to be a constant reader who loves fantasy. Vicious served as a nice introduction to her work. Alternating between the book’s present-day and flashbacks throughout various characters’ lives, the plot moved along quickly […]
Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill: Book Review
What an absolute delight! I just texted my sister to recommend Greenteeth to her. I wrote, “It’s an old school fantasy/fairy tale. It felt a little retro in a time when fantasies are either urban fantasies or sprawling epics with 50,000 characters and entire magic/religion/political systems […]
Down the Great Unknown by Edward Dolnick: Book Review
4 Stars. John Wesley Powell caught my attention when my husband and I visited the Grand Canyon in 2013. I would periodically think that I should read a book about him and then I would forget about it. When we visited Lake Powell and Horseshoe Canyon in Page, AZ a few months ago, I decided that it […]
Amari and the Despicable Wonders by B. B. Alston: Book Review
4 Stars. I dinged book two of this series for being a little too reminiscent of Harry Potter. I still see direct parallels between a lot of the plot points in this book and The Wizarding World but I must not have cared as much this time around. It’s been two years since I listened to Amari and the Great […]
I Know Who You Are by Barbara Rae-Venter: Book Review
4 Stars. It is absolutely amazing to me that the author and her team tracked down this man who had evaded capture for 40-some years in 63 days. Days. She is quick to point out that the officers, medical examiners, forensics workers, and others kept this cold case alive and laid the groundwork for […]
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett: Book Review
Every time I read a book by Ann Patchett, I wonder why I don’t read her work more often. She’s a thoughtful, beautiful writer. I guess I’m spreading out the love by reading her books slowly. This book is an exploration of family relationships and the bonds between siblings and between parents and […]
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon: Book Review
4 Stars. I’m digging up this review from 2009. So much more than just a “murder” mystery, this is really a story of Christopher’s personal growth. He knows that he’s different, he just doesn’t know how to be any other way. He can’t read people’s faces or body language. He says “I think prime numbers are […]
The Broken Circle by Enjeela Ahmadi-Miller: Book Review
3 Stars. Hmmm. It’s hard to write reviews of memoirs that don’t exactly work for you, isn’t it? I don’t want to discount someone else’s life experiences. But I personally felt there were some serious issues with the writing. Enjeela and her family experienced a terrifying journey when they left Afghanistan […]