3 Stars. When I realized this short story is a prequel to Legends & Lattes, I knew exactly which incident from Viv’s earlier life that I hope it addressed and that’s exactly what I got. Yay! It’s so strongly related to the book, that I really think it could have been edited a bit more and turned [...]
4.5 Stars. To me, the plot of this book took a back seat to the characters, but that’s why I liked it. I am a very character-driven reader and Legends & Lattes gave me a whole book in which to watch a group of diverse characters develop, become friends, build a supportive community, and cheer each [...]
Welcome to my weekly update for February 18, 2024! On our second day in Florida a couple of weeks ago, we just took our time driving down through the Keys. I've only made the trip one time and that was with my in-laws. We were able to stop and look around a little more freely this time on our [...]
4 Stars. In this atmospheric mystery, I wasn’t even entirely sure who had been murdered until the end, much less who did it. I feel like I should have guessed the culprit because the clues were all there but I didn’t. The characters are largely unlikeable, even to each other. They’re that group of [...]
4 Stars. I loved Jennifer Wright’s book, Get Well Soon: History’s Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them. I loved her humor in tackling a pretty grim subject. She brings the same humor to this examination of some spectacular break-ups. She shines a light on the following couples: 1. Nero [...]
Welcome to my weekly update for February 11, 2024! I missed posting the past couple of weeks because we were in south Florida to do some touristy things and then visit my in-laws. We visited Biscayne National Park and went snorkeling our first day. I would not recommend snorkeling in January, even [...]
4 Stars. The last time I was in Charleston, SC, one or two tours that I went on mentioned Eliza Lucas. Her father left her in charge of his plantations near Charleston in the 1740s while he went to war with the Spanish in the Caribbean. That really caught my attention. A woman running plantations? At that [...]
4 Stars. Confession: I didn’t know who Issa Rae is when I picked this up. I’m only vaguely aware of pop culture at the best of times and influencers or even show writers and producers are just not on my radar. I don’t remember why I added this to my list but I’m glad I did because it was so funny! I’m [...]
4.5 Stars. The inside flap of my copy of this book describes it as a "riveting tale that will appeal to fans of The Princess Bride." I hesitated over that. I love The Princess Bride. So much. That description is setting some very high expectations and I don't know if it's possible to meet them. Sanderson did [...]
Welcome to my weekly update for January 21, 2024! My great-uncle (my grandmother’s brother) passed away on Monday. He had been sick for a while so it wasn’t unexpected but somehow death is still a shock, isn’t it? I rented a little place from him back when I was a single girl and the first couple [...]